Students must submit their environmentally inspired artwork by the Nov. 30 deadline
Hillsborough County, Fla. (Nov. 4, 2025) - You don't have to find your inner Salvador Dalí or Georgia O'Keeffe to enter this art contest, but an interest in protecting the environment by reducing waste and recycling is a plus.
Hillsborough County Solid Waste's Third Annual Waste Reduction and Recycling Art Contest is accepting submissions through Nov. 30. The theme of the contest is "Small Acts, Big Impact -- Show how everyday choices help reduce waste at home and in your community."
Students in third grade through 12th grade are encouraged to enter the contest. To be eligible, students must attend an elementary, middle, or high school or be home-schooled in Hillsborough County.
With the theme as a framework, students can submit a drawing using drawing tools, including programs such as Photoshop. They also can submit a collage using drawings, photographs, or other materials. Students cannot use artificial intelligence (AI) programs to create the art. The submitted artwork must be created solely by the student and be entirely original.
Students are encouraged to express their creativity and desire to protect and preserve the environment in the artwork, such as creating art pieces about organizing litter cleanups, donation drives, sharing waste reduction tips, teaching about local recycling rules, and more. To learn about Hillsborough County waste reduction and recycling programs for ideas and inspiration, visit the Waste Reduction and Recycling Art Contest webpage.
Three winners will be selected, one from each grade category: third grade through fifth grade; sixth grade through eighth grade; and ninth grade through 12th grade. Hillsborough County staff will judge the 2025 entries. Winners will be selected in January 2026 and receive countywide recognition and waste reduction-themed prizes. A recognition event will be held in February 2026.
Visit the Waste Reduction and Recycling Art Contest Form to review the rules and enter the contest. Email questions to the Hillsborough County Waste Reduction and Recycling Team at Recycling@HCFL.gov.