Rules for the 2022 Contest
For 2022, the NYS Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) will be sponsoring the New York Recycles! Poster contest which was previously sponsored by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). This poster contest helps New York 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 featured in the 2023 New York Recycles! calendar, a framed copy of their winning poster, and other prizes.
We hope your student, 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 kindergarten through 12th grade in New York State public and private schools, youth organizations or home schooled are welcome to participate. If a student's school or classroom is not participating, a student may still submit an individual entry.
2022 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 the DEC 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 27, 2022. Please note that all artwork submitted becomes the property of NYSAR3, is retained and may be reproduced.
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) included with poster submission. A poster not accompanied by a completed Release Form will not be eligible for further judging. The posters and Release Forms must be received by May 27, 2022.
Electronic Submission Instructions:
All posters must be submitted electronically. Posters along with completed Release Forms must be submitted to NYRecyclesCalendar@gmail.com; please note in the subject line "2022 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 30th 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 NYSAR3 Gmail email here.
Judging Criteria
The poster meets the poster requirements section listed above.
The poster message is clearly conveyed by the text and artwork.
The poster shows creativity, originality and artistic quality.
The poster shows visual clarity and can be easily read.
The Release Form is completed and included with electronic submissions.
Judging Procedure
For 2022, there isn’t a limit on the number of posters accepted from each school or youth organization. However, only one poster from each student can be accepted for the contest.
For state judging, the posters will be grouped in one of the following five categories:
Kindergarten through 3rd Grade;
4th through 6th Grade;
7th through 9th Grade;
10th through 12th Grade; and
Special Education
The three (3) best posters in each grade category will be judged based on the poster requirements section listed above and judging criteria section listed above. First, second and third place will be awarded in each grade category.
Awards:
State Winners
The first, second and third place winners in each grade category will receive a framed copy of their winning artwork and other prizes. Posters from the final State judging will be featured in the 2023 New York Recycles! calendar.
More information: NY Recycles Poster Contest (nysar3.org)