Rules for the 2021 Contest
We are once again inviting all kindergarten through 12th grade students in New York State public and private schools and youth organizations to showcase their artistic talent and their commitment to the environment by participating in the 19th Annual New York Recycles! Poster Contest sponsored by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). This poster contest helps us to achieve our goal of higher excellence in waste reduction, recycling, composting, and buying recycled products and packaging. The New York State winners receive the honor of having their artwork on public display at the NYSDEC headquarters at 625 Broadway in Albany, a framed copy of their winning poster, and other prizes.
We hope your school district or organization will participate in this worthwhile event and we look forward to working with you! Please read the poster requirements and judging criteria carefully. Only posters that meet the poster requirements and judging criteria will be considered.
Eligibility
All students in New York State public and private schools and youth organizations are welcome to participate. If a student’s school or classroom is not participating, a student may still submit an individual entry.
2021 Themes
Participants should use our theme description webpage to help guide their posters.
- New York Recycles!
- Reduce Your Single Use
- Composting is a Heap of Fun!
- Let’s Put Litter in its Place!
Students are encouraged to share their views on these themes. For more information and ideas for your poster, check out our website on waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and buying recycled products and packaging and our website on theme ideas for the poster contest. If you need help brainstorming, these are great resources!
Poster Requirements
Deadline:
Posters must be received no later than May 21, 2021. Please note that all artwork submitted becomes the property of the NYSDEC, is retained and may be reproduced. Posters will not be returned.
Poster content:
- All posters should be reflective of the contest themes listed above.
- Posters created by students must be their own original artwork. Copyrighted characters (such as Superman) or copyrighted clip art will not be accepted.
- Posters must be clearly legible.
Materials:
- Any variety of media may be used (watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, chalk, markers, etc.) but bright colors are best.
- Students are encouraged to incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their creations. Note: If students are incorporating recyclables into their artwork, depth is restricted to half an inch.
Size & Layout:
Minimum: 8½” x 11″
Maximum: 18″ x 24″
Landscape Layout only!!
Poster Submission:
Each poster must have the Release Form (PDF) (19 KB) securely fastened to the back of the poster. A poster not accompanied by a completed Release Form will not be eligible for further judging. The posters, with Release Forms included must be received by May 21, 2021 to:
NYSDEC
Attn: NY Recycles! Poster Contest
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233-7253
Electronic Submission Instructions:
Posters are preferred to be received by mail but posters can also be submitted electronically.
Posters along with completed Release Forms can be submitted electronically to recycling@dec.ny.gov; please note in the subject line “2021 New York Recycles Poster Contest.”
The following high-quality digital file formats will be accepted: JPEG, PNG, PDF. Resolution should be 300 dpi. Please hold on to your original poster until June 11th in case your poster is selected and we find we need you to re-submit a higher-quality version. If you have any questions about suitable formats, please contact us at recycling@dec.ny.gov. Read more »
