Trash Can Contest

MoDOT sponsors the No MOre Trash! Trash-Can-Decorating Contest as part of Missouri's "No MOre Trash!" campaign to raise awareness and discourage littering. The contest encourages Missouri students to join the fight against litter by decorating and displaying a large trash can with the "No MOre Trash!" logo and a litter prevention message using a variety of creative mediums.

New to the 2024 contest, which launches Nov. 27, is a fourth competition category for grades 9-12! 

 

The Rules
  • Decorate a 30-gallon (or larger) trash can to be located in a prominent area of the school or community (cafeteria, gymnasium, ball field, library, church, park, etc.).
  • Each design must include the No MOre Trash! logo and a litter-prevention slogan. Download a black-and-white or two-color No MOre Trash! logo below.
  • Artistic media choices can include, but are not limited to: paint, fabric, glitter, crayon, wax, paper, photos, etc. Use of recycled materials is encouraged but not required.
  • No entry fee is required. Only entries submitted by Missouri schools, including home schools, will be accepted. Schools may submit one entry in each category: grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12.
  • Schools must submit a release form for MoDOT use of their photo(s) in the event that the school is one of the winners. Download the release form below.
  • Entries must consist of the completed entry form below, up to three photographs of the decorated trash can (photos must be in-focus, provide clear images of the project, and one should include participants) and the signed release form. Participants may also submit a video of the project, but it is not required.
The Prizes
  • The school submitting the grand prize entry will receive $600 and a trophy.
  • $200 will be awarded to one entry in each competition category.
  • The grand prize winner will have their trash can displayed at the MoDOT building on the State Fairgrounds during the State Fair in August, with permission of the winning school.
  • Please note: winning schools must be registered as vendors with the State to receive payment.
The Deadline
  • Entries must be submitted with the form below no later than March 15. The winning entries will be announced in early April.

Contest Entry Form

Webform
Teacher/Principal Name:
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School Address:
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Maximum 5 files.
800 MB limit.
Allowed types: gif, jpg, png, bmp, eps, tif, pict, psd, txt, rtf, pdf, avi, mov, mp4, svg, tar, zip, doc, docx.

Required files are: up to three photographs of the decorated trash can - which must be in-focus, provide clear images of the project, and one should include participants - and your signed release form for MoDOT use of your photos in the event that your school is one of the winners. Once you submit, you will receive a submission confirmation email.

2023 Winners

 

Congratulations to teacher Ginnifer Fuemmeler and their K-2 students at Hannah Cole Primary School in Boonville on winning the K-2 category and the grand prize for their “One Man’s Trash, Another Child’s Treasure” entry!

“Students kindergarten through second grade have heard the ‘one man's trash’ saying in our classroom all year long, so when it came time to pick a theme for our can, they immediately thought of using the recyclables in our room,” wrote Fuemmeler in their submission entry. “Not only did students learn about tremendous possibilities when reusing trash, they were also able to study native plants in our area and the value they hold.”

The school will receive a check for $200 for the category win as well as $600 and a trophy as the grand prize winner.

Congratulations to teacher Daniel Schaefer and their 4th graders at Kingdom Christian Academy in Fulton on winning the 3-5 category for their “Gotta Catch MO Trash” entry!

“The students came up with the ‘Gotta Catch MO Trash’ to play off the already ‘No MOre Trash,’” Schaefer wrote in their submission entry. “The trash can will be used as the school's new soda can recycling bin and is located in the lunchroom for all to see and talk about.”

The school will receive a check for $200 for the category win.

Congratulations to teacher Hannah Shaw and their 7th graders at Liberal R-II Middle School in Liberal on winning the 6-8 category for their entry, “Don’t ‘Leaf’ Your Trash Behind!”

“By bringing up the idea of pollution in a lighthearted way, their goal was to bring some comedy to a serious topic,” wrote Shaw in their submission entry. “With this approach, they felt like people were more likely to look at their own habits when it comes to littering.”

The school will receive a check for $200 for the category win.

 

 

Have Questions or Need More Information?

Bethany Belt
Title
Senior Communications Specialist
Department
Communications
Contact Info

Bethany.Belt@modot.mo.gov