The City of Tampa’s Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management is calling for submissions for the 2023 3R’s Art & Poetry Contest.
The annual contest will accept art and poetry submissions from students in grades 3 to 12. Students should represent Tampa schools, homeschooling, the MacDonald Training Center, and other City of Tampa programs.
The contest, now entering its 18th year, is an outreach education program that encourages participants to promote environmental stewardship through the importance of the 3Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle; a message conveyed in the submitted artwork and poems.
Winning artwork will be displayed on recycling collection vehicles and winning poetry will be displayed at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
“Every year we continue to be astounded by the incredible talent, words, and visuals created by our applicants,” said Edgar Castro Tello, a City of Tampa Recycling Specialist. “Through their art, we want to challenge students to think beyond recycling and embrace new waste reduction habits, bringing some focus to reducing and reusing. Bringing attention to the rising concerns of ocean pollution, litter, and waste production is a way these young artists can remind us all that it’s beyond just young people’s responsibilities, it’s all our responsibility.”
All artwork and poetry must be submitted online or in person by Friday, February 3, 2023. For instructions, rules, and regulations on the 3R’s Art & Poetry Contest, please visit our website at tampa.gov/3Rs.
Due to the Department’s limited service area, only students attending a school or living within the Solid Waste service area are eligible to apply.
Be advised that not all addresses containing Tampa, FL as the city lies within the Department’s service area; to confirm, please visit our website.