Sticker Design Contest - RethinkWaste

2026 Sticker Design Contest Guidelines

Participants must live in the RethinkWaste service area*.
There are 2 contest categories: Younger Artists (elementary school, ages 5-11) and Older Artists (middle and high school, ages 12-18)
2026 Sticker Themes: Choose ONE to illustrate!
- Option 1: Rethink Your Waste! Show us how you “Rethink” your waste by cutting down on what you throw away, reusing items, recycling, and composting! Do you, your family, and friends have other creative ways to keep waste out of the landfill? Share your ideas and inspire others because when we work together, we can all make a positive difference!
- Option 2: We Share This World! Celebrate the amazing community of life around us! Illustrate the plants and animals that are our neighbors on this planet from mighty oaks and butterflies to delicate poppies and frogs or everything in between. This Earth belongs to all of us!
Contest requirements:
- Stickers must be created individually and without adult assistance. ONE entry per artist.
- Eligible submissions must be illustrated within the provided template below (including RethinkWaste logo) using 8.5 x 11 inch white paper in landscape (horizontal) orientation. No lined or colored paper. Please note stickers will not be printed in this size – larger art is necessary for high quality printing.
  - DOWNLOAD THE TEMPLATE HERE
- No copyrighted material, computer-generated graphics, or characters. Original, hand drawn artwork ONLY.
- Art must be 2D and in any medium (paint, markers, color pencils, crayons, etc.) High contrast colors are encouraged for more accessible viewability.

*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

Submission deadline is August 7th, 2026 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 sticker illustration.
  - Note: Please DO NOT discard your illustration after submitting. Winning entries will be required to submit the original illustration to RethinkWaste.
  - Note: Submitted illustrations will be scaled down to sticker size.
- If you have questions or concerns, please email RethinkWaste staff or call (650) 802-3508.
Winning sticker illustrations will be announced no later than mid-August.
All winners will be recognized on the RethinkWaste website and social media.

Prizes

The selected winners from each age category will receive a sticker pack of their winning sticker design and a RethinkWaste giveaway item of their choice.

DOWNLOAD THE POSTER

Online Submission Form

2026 Sticker Design Contest

Artist Information
Name*
First Last
Contest Category*
Age*
Sticker Title*
Sticker Theme*
Sticker Description*
Please provide a short 1-2 sentence description of your sticker illustration submission and how it relates to this year’s themes of “Rethink Your Waste!” or “We Share This World!” including any inspirational or special information we should know about.
Sticker Image Upload*
Please upload a high resolution photo or scan of the landscape sticker illustration here – ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST USE THE PROVIDED RETHINKWASTE TEMPLATE. You may submit up to three files. (NOTE: CORRECTLY uploaded files will show a red X inside a circle next to your file name. This indicates you can remove this file and upload another if you’d like.) Please RETAIN YOUR ORIGINAL ARTWORK after submitting. Winners will be asked to mail their original illustrations to RethinkWaste.
Drop files here or

Max. file size: 100 MB, Max. files: 3.
School Infomation
School Name*
School Address
Street Address City
Parent/Guardian/Adult Information
Name*
First Last
Phone*
Email*
How did you hear about this contest? (social media, teacher, word of mouth, etc…)
Consent*
I, the undersigned, hereby certify that the files (photos and/or documents) submitted showcases artwork that was created by the artist named above and is the artists original artwork. I understand that the files uploaded becomes the property of South Bayside Waste Management Authority (RethinkWaste) and may be reproduced or publicly displayed. I hereby give and grant to the South Bayside Waste Management Authority (RethinkWaste) free and right to use, distribute, publish and republish, for any and all news, publicity, commercial or other advertising purposes, the submitted files by the artist named above for the 2026 Sticker Contest. The artists name (first name and last initial), city, and age level may be released with the files.
Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Parent/Guardian/Adult Electronic Signature (please type name here)*

2026 Sticker Design Contest Guidelines

Submission Instructions

Prizes

Online Submission Form

2026 Sticker Design Contest

Artist Information

School Infomation

Parent/Guardian/Adult Information