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A larger than life-portrait of Lady Gaga – made from soda bottle caps, utensils, and compact discs – won the top prize at MDE’s 10th annual “Rethink Recycling” sculpture contest.
The contest challenges Maryland high school students to use recycled materials to create artistic and innovative sculptures. More than 60 entries from 29 high schools across the State were on display.
Amber Robinson from Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore City won the grand prize for her depiction of the pop songstress. She received an iPad 2.
The category winners, who each received a Nook Color, were:
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Creativity: Crystal Blackwood, South Carroll High School, Carroll County, for building a giraffe towering over six-feet high, made from records, compact discs, PVC pipe, and cardboard.
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Workmanship: Margaret McGill, C. Milton Wright High School, Harford County, for creating an anglerfish using compact discs, nails, and light bulbs.
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Use of Materials: Olivia Borum, South Carroll High School, Carroll County, for designing a miniature dress made of reused puzzle pieces and buttons.
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People’s Choice Category: Lauren Johnson, Smithsburg High School, Washington County, for crafting a great blue heron made from chicken wire and zip ties.
Second place winners in all four categories received refurbished laptop computers.
"Maryland citizens and businesses prevent about 40 percent of our waste from going into landfills and incinerators by recycling, which helps to save energy and reduce green house gas emissions," said MDE Secretary Robert M. Summers, who presented the awards at the Nov. 18 event. "If not for the creativity and energy of these students, the materials used to make these sculptures would have ended up as trash that pollutes our air, land and water. I applaud all the teachers and students here today for doing their part to promote environmental protection by turning everyday trash into beautiful works of art."
Sponsors who donated prizes, funding and refreshments for this year’s contest were: Giant Food, Constellation Energy, Maryland, Delaware, DC Beverage Association, The American Visionary Art Museum, The American Cleaning Institute, e-Structors, Inc., Maryland Recycling Network, Waste Management Inc., Lori Scozzofava and Rehrig Pacific Company.
Contest judges were program director and on-air personality John Klug from 100.7 The Bay FM, working artist and retired art teacher Barbara L. Cox and MDE Secretary Summers.
Since 2001, MDE has celebrated America Recycles Day by hosting the annual “Rethink Recycling” Sculpture Contest. High school students from across Maryland are invited to participate by creating sculptures made of recycled and reusable materials. “Rethink Recycling” is just one way MDE educates and empowers the public to reuse and recycle materials that would have otherwise gone into landfills. To find out what you can do to reduce, reuse, recycle and buy recycled products, visit MDE’s recycling web page.
America Recycles Day, traditionally celebrated on November 15, is a national event that unites business, environmental and civic groups, and local, state, and federal government agencies to promote recycling, source reduction, and the purchase of products made from recycled materials as a means to a more sustainable society.
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