PORTLAND — ecomaine’s annual Recycling is a Work of Art painting contest will accept designs through August 23, 2021. The contest is an opportunity for Maine students, community groups, and artists to submit their proposals to paint one of ecomaine’s 30-yard (22-feet long) recycling containers with their messages of reduction, reuse, recycling, and sustainability.

As many as six designs will be selected by ecomaine’s Outreach & Recycling Committee in September, to be painted in the fall. The winning painters will receive a $500 stipend as well as reimbursement for up to $500 in supplies. Additionally, the finished artworks will be “mobile masterpieces” as they are transported to and from ecomaine communities with their single-sort recyclables inside.

“This program is fun and educational, but it also serves the dual purpose of promoting recycling as well as Maine’s talented artists of all ages,” said Matt Grondin, ecomaine’s Communications manager, in a news release.  “The quality of these designs and their messages really help ecomaine to spread the word about the importance of recycling in a unique way.”

Artists wishing to enter the contest must submit their designs on templates provided by ecomaine, and must be a resident or work in one of ecomaine’s member communities. All templates, rules, guidelines, and timelines – as well as examples of past paint jobs – are available on ecomaine’s website.  The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. on Monday, August 23, 2021. 

About ecomaine

ecomaine, located in Portland, Maine, is the member-owned, nonprofit, recycling and waste-to-energy operation that serves a third of the state’s population in more than 65 member communities.  ecomaine provides comprehensive long-term solid waste solutions in a safe, environmentally responsible, economically sound manner, and is a leader in raising public awareness of sustainable waste management strategies.