GAINESVILLE, Fla. — One man’s trash will be another man’s treasure during the 16^th annual Trashformations student recycled art competition awards ceremony at the Florida Museum of Natural History from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Nov. 21.

Middle school, high school and college students are eligible to enter the contest, which requires entries contain at least 70 percent recycled materials. The application deadline is Nov. 14, and entries must be delivered to the Florida Museum on Nov. 20 between noon and 5 p.m.

“Trashformations showcases the museum’s commitment to sustainability in our practices and exhibitions,” said Florida Museum educator Tiffany Ireland.

Judges select winners based on creative expression and innovative use of reused materials. Students in each level compete for cash and other awards, and the Florida Museum will display winning entries through Dec. 1.

The Florida Museum hosts the Trashformations awards ceremony in collaboration with the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners and Office of Waste Alternatives.

Patrick Irby, an Alachua County waste alternative specialist, said discarded materials, either buried or burned, impact human lives every day. Buried garbage can leak into soil and the aquifer, potentially contaminating drinking water, and burned garbage increases the risk of air pollutants.

“The less waste we produce as a society, the less opportunity there is for pollution of our air, water and soil,” Irby said.

For more information, visit http://www.alachuacounty.us/Depts/PW/Waste/wasteAlternatives/Pages/Trashformations.aspx.

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Writer: Rosanna Del Cioppo, rdelcioppo@ufl.edu
Source: Tiffany Ireland, tireland@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2061
Media contact: Paul Ramey, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu, 352-273-2054