Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District - Earth Day Poster Contest

Theme: Tire Trouble: Waste Tires in the Environment

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Students from seven counties were honored for posters and essays entered in the Ozark Rivers Solid Waste Management District's 2004 Earth Day Poster and Essay Contest. More than 500 students from 12 different schools in Belle, Bland, St. James, Edgar Springs, Hermann, Steelville, Cuba, Dixon, Newburg and Potosi created posters and essays for this year's contest.

The contest was open to students in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties.

This year's theme was "Tire Trouble: Waste Tires in the Environment." The poster contest was open to all grades, while students in fifth through twelfth grades had a choice of creating posters or writing essays. Posters and essays were separated into grade categories for judging. First-place winners will receive $50 savings bonds, and second-place winners will receive earth friendly prizes. Certificates were also awarded for honorable mentions. Every student that participated will receive a small gift.

Area banks helped co-sponsor the contest by providing the savings bonds. Banks participating included Bank of Crocker, Bank of Salem, Bay-Hermann-Berger Bank, Belle State Bank, Central Federal Savings and Loan Association of Rolla, Citizens Bank of Newburg, Community Bank of Dixon, First Community National Bank, Linn State Bank, Maries County Bank, Mid-Missouri Credit Union, Phelps County Bank, People Savings Bank, People's Bank of Cuba, Town and Country Bank, UNICO Bank and US Bank.

This contest is a part of the district's effort to increase awareness of the solid waste problem and to generate interest in reducing the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. Education and awareness are key components of the district's solid waste management plan. Missouri citizens generate approximately five million waste tires annually and an estimated 2.7 million tires remain in illegal dumps across Missouri.

Winning posters were displayed at the Earth Day celebration in Rolla on April 22. Essays will be featured in future solid waste columns released to newspapers.

The Ozark Rivers District has developed a solid waste management plan to reduce by 40 percent the amount of waste deposited in area landfills. The district is now updating its plan, which focuses primarily on recycling, education and assisting large generators with waste reduction. Persons needing solid waste information should contact Tammy Snodgrass or Bryan Rogers at 573-265-2993.