This month, in celebration of America Recycles Day, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection’s Nevada Recycles program partnered with the Las Vegas Sands Corp. in a statewide recycled art contest to raise awareness of and interest in recycling.
More than 100 artists statewide, ranging from students in kindergarten through 12th grade to adults, submitted photos of their artwork composed of recyclable materials.
Entries included a diversity of innovative designs and imaginative artwork using materials such as tires, electronics, appliances, plastic bags, bottles, batteries, discarded paper, cardboard and aluminum cans.
Entries were judged based on overall appearance, originality, workmanship and use of recyclable material.
Local winners in the 9th to 12th grade category include: Fernley’s Ronald Lazaro, with his piece titled “City by the Sea,” and Spark’s Michael Connors, with his creation, “Untitled Cans.” In the adult category, Reno’s Bonnie Kennedy created a charmer with her work, “Happy Basket.”
All Contest entries may be viewed on the Nevada Recycles program Flickr page here.
In 2013, Nevada’s recycling rate was 25%. Nevadans (including the tourist population) throw away about 5.7 pounds of trash, per person, per day. That’s about three million tons of trash going to a landfill every year.
“It’s exciting that our first statewide recycled art contest attracted such an impressive collection of creative artwork. We hope that the contest has helped to inspire Nevadans, both young and old, to make recycling a way of life,” said Rene Braña, Sustainability Manager for Las Vegas Sands Corp.’s Global Sustainability Strategy, Eco 360˚.
