ISRI, JASON Learning announce student video and poster contest

The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), Washington, and JASON Learning, Ashburn, Virginia, are again inviting young filmmakers, artists and recycling advocates to participate in a poster and video contest to build awareness for recycling. 

The theme of this year’s contest repeat’s last year’s theme, “Bigger than the Bin,” with an added option to interview an ISRI member and learn about working in the recycling industry. Students in grades K–12 in the U.S. are challenged to select an item that is too big for the blue bin, research how that item is recycled and create an original video or poster on the subject. Another option for the contest involves connecting with a recycling industry professional who also is an ISRI member and interviewing them to learn about their work and career path and creating a video or poster.

ISRI says top entries will be used to help educate the public on the association’s role as the “Voice of the Recycling Industry,” how items are recycled that do not fit in the traditional blue bin, as well as careers within the recycling industry. One poster will be selected as a finalist from each of three grade bands: K-4, 5-8, and 9-12; and one video will be selected as a finalist from each of two grade bands: 5-8 and 9-12, with two overall grand prize winners awarded.

“The U.S. scrap recycling industry annually generates $105 billion in economic activity, a fact that most people often don’t recognize,” says ISRI President Robin Wiener. “We hope that through this contest, students and adults alike gain a better understanding of the impact of the scrap recycling industry and its many benefits, ranging from those who work in the industry to every environmental benefit recycling provides and beyond.”

“In everything we do at JASON we try to link kids to the real-world applications of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects they study in school,” says Patrick Shea, JASON’s executive vice president. “Contests such as this one are a fun way for them to explore areas of STEM that they might otherwise never think of, or make a personal connection with. When they do, we’re always amazed at the depth of their understanding, and the creativity they put into sharing what they’ve learned. The themes of this year’s contest provide students with opportunities to delve deeper into the scrap recycling industry, and we can’t wait to see what they come up with.”

The deadline for submissions is Jan. 20, 2017. Prizes for the finalists include being featured on the JASON and ISRI websites, a year of JASON online access, a contest t-shirt, a certificate, and, for the grand prize winners, a trip to New Orleans.

This marks the fourth year ISRI and JASON Learning have teamed up on an art contest. Last year’s theme was “Bigger Than the Bin.” In 2014-2015, the topic was automobile recycling, and in 2013-2014, cellphone recycling.

Additional information about the contest, including all rules, tips, and how to enter can be found on ISRI’s website at www.isri.org.