New York Recycles! Calendar Contest

Rules for the 2026 Contest

The NYS Association of Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) sponsors the New York Recycles! calendar artwork contest. The contest was previously sponsored by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC).

This contest helps New Yorkers to achieve our goal of educating and raising standards of overall waste reduction along with higher excellence in:

  • Use reduction;

  • Recycling;

  • Reuse;

  • Composting;

  • Adjusting buying habits to support materials made of recycled content; 

  • Purchasing products with minimal or no packaging

Viewed through the lens of young students, these visual artworks help illustrate how we can all work together to achieve this goal of excellence.

Many students across NY send in their artwork and, if chosen as a winning poster, receive the honor of having their artwork featured in the annual New York Recycles! calendar. In addition, winners are invited to attend our Annual Conference & Trade Show held in November where their framed artwork is prominently displayed. Before taking the framed poster home with them, students can speak about what their artwork means to them and how it can inspire others.

We hope your student, school district, or organization will participate in this worthwhile event and we look forward to working with you! Please read the artwork requirements and judging criteria carefully. Only artwork that meets the requirements and judging criteria will be considered.

Eligibility

All students in kindergarten through 12th grade in New York State public and private schools, youth organizations or home schooled are welcome to participate. If a student's school or classroom is not participating, a student may still submit an individual entry.

2026 Theme: Community First, Waste Last

Students are encouraged to share their views on this theme. For more information and ideas for your artwork, check out our theme description webpage. If you need help brainstorming, this is a great resource!

Artwork Requirements

Entry Due Date:  May 15, 2026

Artwork must be received no later than May 15, 2026. Please note that all artwork submitted becomes the property of NYSAR3, is retained and may be reproduced and/or displayed throughout NYS.

Calendar content:

  • All artwork should be reflective of the contest theme listed above.
  • Artwork created by students must be their own original artwork. Copyrighted characters (such as Superman) or copyrighted clip art will not be accepted.
  • Artwork must be clearly legible.
  • AI/computer generated artwork will not be accepted.

Materials:

  • Any variety of media may be used (watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, chalk, markers, acrylic paint, etc.). Computer generated graphics are not permitted. Bright colors are best!

  • Students are encouraged to incorporate recycled or recyclable materials into their creations. 

    Note: If students are incorporating materials into their artwork, depth is restricted to half an inch.

Size & Layout:

  • Minimum: 8½" x 11"
  • Maximum: 18" x 24"
  • Landscape Layout 

 

Artwork Submission:

Each entry must have the Release Form (PDF) included with artwork submission.  Any entries not accompanied by a completed Release Form will not be eligible for further judging. All entries and Release Forms must be received by May 15, 2026.

Electronic Submission Instructions:

All artwork must be submitted electronically along with completed Release Forms to NYRecyclesCalendar@gmail.com; please note in the subject line "New York Recycles Calendar Contest - Grade __"

Please label the artwork file AND the release form with the students name and grade. Ex. “Kristin Welch Grade 10.jpeg”

 A high-quality digital JPEG file format is preferred, but high quality PNG and PDF format will also be accepted. Resolution should be 300 dpi.

Please hold on to your original poster until June 30th in case your poster is selected, and we find we need you to re-submit a higher-quality version. If you have any questions about suitable formats, please contact us at NYRecyclesCalendar@gmail.com.

Judging Criteria

  1. The artwork meets the requirements section listed above.
  2. The message is clearly conveyed by any text and artwork.
  3. The artwork shows creativity, originality and artistic quality.
  4. The artwork shows visual clarity and can be easily read.
  5. Preference will be given to artwork that follows this year's theme.
  6. The Release Form is completed and included with electronic submissions.

Judging Procedure

There is no limit to the number of entries received from each school or youth organization. However, only one entry from each student can be accepted for the contest.

For state judging, the artwork may be grouped in one of the following five categories:

  • Kindergarten through 3rd Grade;
  • 4th through 6th Grade;
  • 7th through 9th Grade;
  • 10th through 12th Grade; and
  • Special Education

Awards will be based on the number of submissions received in each category. Each grade
category will be judged based on the artwork requirements section and judging criteria section, both listed above.

Awards:

Winners in each grade category will receive a framed copy of their artwork and an invitation to receive their framed artwork at our Annual Conference & Trade Show in Cooperstown, NY.  They will also be featured in our annual New York Recycles! calendar and displayed across NYS communities, the NYSAR3 website and at the Annual Conference.

Uploaded Image: /vs-uploads/calendar-images/1770992333_A-Awards-Lunch-All-NYRecycles-students.jpg

Please Remember:

  • Entries must meet the poster requirements specified above and must have the Release Form (PDF)(19 KB) included with submission.
  • All artwork submitted becomes the property of the NYSAR3 and may be reproduced.

Important Dates For The Contest Are

No later than May 15, 2026
- Artwork and release forms must be received by email for judging.

May 18 - June 5, 2026
- NYSAR3 conducts judging.

No later than June 10, 2026
- NYSAR3 notifies winners through their school or youth organization, and gives further instruction as to student recognition.

June 30, 2026
- Hold on to the original poster in case your poster is selected and we find we need you to re-submit a higher-quality version.


If you have any questions on this poster contest please email NYRecyclesCalendar@gmail.com