FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2023 

Contact: Theo Eggermont, Public Works Director 

(734) 222-6860 

[email protected]

Students of Woodland Meadows Elementary and AC Tech High School Win 2023 Recycling Art Contest

Washtenaw County’s Water Resources Commissioner’s Office’s School Recycling Program offers an annual Recycling Art Contest, giving students an opportunity to creatively express ideas surrounding recycling and waste reduction. It encourages students to think about how waste impacts the environment and how we all play a part in protecting natural resources. 

This year, the art contest challenged students to craft pieces from objects that would otherwise be thrown away. “We’re pleased to see students thinking about recycling in new and creative ways. It’s so fun to look at the pieces and see such big ideas being expressed. You can really tell that they have a passion for recycling and know the impact it has on the community and environment.” said Theo Eggermont, Public Works Director. 

 The top pieces have been selected from numerous submissions. 

• Primary School Winners
  • 1^st place: Sadie Burnette, 2^nd grade, Woodland Meadows Elementary
  • 2^nd place: Finnley Sweitzer, 2^nd grade, Woodland Meadows Elementary
  • 3^rd place: Charlie Wicks, 1^st grade, Woodland Meadows Elementary
• Secondary School Winners
  • 1^st place: Tahlayah Jones, 11^th grade, AC Tech High School 
  • 2^nd place: Luis Medina-Rios, 10^th grade, AC Tech High School
  • 3^rd place: Hannia Licerio, 9^th grade, AC Tech High School

The first-place winners from each school receive a backpack that is made from recycled bottles. 

• The class of the primary school’s winner receives a zero-waste pizza party. 
• The school of the secondary school’s winner receives $500, sponsored by Stevens Disposal, to go toward a project that promotes environmental responsibility.

This contest - hosted by Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office’s Materials Management Division, Ecology Center, and Stevens Disposal - is part of the County’s School Recycling Program.  This free program offers the tools and education to create and maintain successful recycling programs in participating schools. During the 2021-2022 school year, an estimated 322,088 pounds of cardboard, paper, plastic, and aluminum cans were recycled from the 29 participating schools. 

Students can take the waste reduction tips they learn at school and use them at home, leading to a stronger practice of recycling county-wide. Eggermont adds “Thank you to our partners in this program who foster and reward a passion for recycling. Students will take the knowledge learned in these years into their adult lives”. 

To view all of the submitted artwork, visit washtenaw.org/360/School-Recycling-Program.