March 14 deadline for schools to can litter through trash-can contest

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo – Missouri elementary, middle and home-school students K-8 have until March 14 to participate in the 2014 “Yes You CAN Make Missouri Litter-Free” trash-can-decorating contest. The annual trash-can contest encourages school classes and groups to join in 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 media.

Sponsored by the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT), the contest is part of the state’s “No MOre Trash!” (NMT) statewide litter campaign. This partnership between MDC and MoDOT, along with thousands of volunteers, is working to prevent and reduce litter in Missouri through education, prevention, and cleanup activities.

Schools may submit one entry in each competition category: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8. Entries are judged based on creativity, adherence to contest rules and effective use of theme and logo. First-place winners from each competition category receive $200 awarded to the sponsoring schools. All first-place winners are then eligible for a grand prize of a trophy and $600 awarded to the sponsoring school.

There is no entry fee for the contest. Participating school groups must submit a completed entry form online and up to three photos to www.nomoretrash.org by March 14. Contest rules, entry forms, logo, past contest entries and winners, and educational information can also be found at www.nomoretrash.org.

Littering is illegal in Missouri and can result in a fine of up to $1,000 and one year in jail.