In honor of Earth Day, the Miami County Solid Waste District is pleased to announce the first annual 2017 Recycling Essay Contest.

All Miami County 6-8th grade students are encouraged to enter this contest. Essays should be comprised of original writing, and the students' own research. Your essay should be at least two pages, but under ten pages. A bibliography should be attached. Name, school, and grade should be listed on the first page or title page. Students are asked to write in MLA or APA format.

This year's topic is, "What Can I Recycle - And Why?" In writing your essay, consider the following:

• How much waste is produced in Miami County? In the United States? In the world?
• What materials make up our garbage?
• What materials can be recycled through curbside pick-up programs?
• How are recycled materials processed? Where do they go after being picked up?
• What types of products are made from recycled materials?
• Why do cities and trash haulers limit the types of materials that go into your recycling bin?
  
  • For example, why can plastic bags be recycled at the grocery store but not in your curbside recycling?
• What types of recycling exist other than curbside trash pickup?
• Aside from recycling, how can you reduce the waste produced at your home or school?

Essays may be submitted by email to lkarch@miamicountyohio.gov, or mailed to:

Essay Contest

2200 N. Co. Road 25A

Troy, Ohio 45373

Essays must be received by Monday, April 16. Winning essays will be published online at www.miamicountyrecycles.org! Prizes of $70, $50 and $30 will be awarded to the first, second and third-place winners.

Questions? Call the Miami County Solid Waste District at 937-440-5653, or email Lauren Karch at lkarch@miamicountyohio.gov.