In honor of Earth Month, Mayor Jane Castor and the Department of Solid Waste & Environmental Program Management recognized the 2021 3R's Art & Poetry Contest winners in an outdoor ceremony this morning at Julian B Lane Riverfront Park. Winning artwork will be displayed on recycling collection vehicles and winning poetry will be displayed onsite at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park.
The contest is an outreach education program that encourages local students and clients of the MacDonald Training Center to promote environmental stewardship through importance of the 3R's: reduce, reuse, recycle; a message conveyed in the submitted artwork and poems.
Students from across the City and clients from the MacDonald Training Center submitted their artwork and poetry online or by mail. Winning artwork and poetry in each category, Elementary, Middle, High School, and the MacDonald Training Center, was determined by online, public voting. This year's winners represent Ballast Point Elementary School, St. Mary's Episcopal Day School, Madison Middle School, Blake High School, and the MacDonald Training Center.
"Waste reduction through reducing, reusing, and recycling is the future of environmentally sustainable waste management practices and with the help of these artistic contest winners, we can share the 3R's message throughout the City. Thank you to all participating Tampa students, schools, and the MacDonald Training Center in continuing to make this long-standing, environmentally focused contest a success." said Department Director, Mark Wilfalk.
For additional information on the 3 R's Art & Poetry Contest, please call the City of Tampa's Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management at (813) 348-1027, or visit our website at tampa.gov/3Rs