2025 Poster Contest Guidelines
- Participants must be 3rd through 8th grade students in the RethinkWaste service area*.
- There are 2 contest categories: Elementary School (3rd through 5th grade) and Middle School (6th through 8th grade)
- 2025 Theme: Compost Critters
- Draw a poster that illustrates those who decompose! These important critters & organisms help break down food and turn it into rich soil to give back to the Earth! Examples of decomposers include bacteria, fungi, earthworms, centipedes, pill bugs, ants, beetles and flies!
- Contest requirements:
- Posters must be created individually. One entry per student.
- Posters must use 8.5 x 11 inch white paper in landscape (horizontal) orientation. No lined paper.
- No copyrighted material, computer graphics, or characters. Original artwork only.
- Posters must be 2D and in any medium (paint, markers, color pencils, crayons, etc.)
*RethinkWaste service area: Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Mateo, parts of unincorporated San Mateo County, and the West Bay Sanitary District
Submission Instructions
- Submissions open from September 5th, 2025 through October 3rd, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
- Please complete the online submission form found below.
- Online submissions must include a clear, high-resolution photo or scan of the poster.
- Note: Please DO NOT discard your poster after submitting. Winning entries will be required to submit the original poster to RethinkWaste.
- If you have questions or concerns, please email RethinkWaste staff or call (650) 802-3508.
- Winning art pieces will be announced no later than mid-October.
- All winners will be recognized on the RethinkWaste website, social media, and a celebratory community event.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded to the 1st and 2nd place winners from each contest category (Elementary School and Middle School).
- 1st Place Winners: Poster displayed on local Recology truck and a choice of gift card, item, or fun local activity
- 2nd Place Winners: Choice of gift card, item, or fun local activity
View examples of previous years’ Poster Contest winning submissions here.