NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASHBURN, VA (August 29, 2023)—ISRI, the Voice of the Recycled Materials Industry™, and JASON Learning (JASON), a renowned STEM education nonprofit, are thrilled to announce the launch of the 2023-24 Youth Recycling Contest. This year’s contest, themed “Design for Recycling®,” challenges participants to enhance an existing consumer product using Design for Recycling® principles.
Participants are invited to create either a poster/infographic or a two-minute video showcasing their improved product and explaining the enhancements made using Design for Recycling® principles. The focus of the contest is to maximize recyclability, reduce costs, eliminate hazardous materials, and minimize time and environmental impact in the recycling process.
“We’re on a mission to empower the next generation as champions of change. Through the Youth Recycling Contest, we’re inviting students to unleash their creativity and reimagine recycling for a better world. Last year, I was blown away by the incredible entries we received. The passion, innovation, and dedication showcased by the students left me truly inspired. We will build upon that momentum this year and continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Dr. Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of JASON Learning
The 2022-23 Youth Recycling Contest received 165 entries from talented young minds across the nation. To honor their remarkable achievements, the winners, along with a guardian, attended the 2023 ISRI Convention and Exposition held in Nashville. This special recognition provided them with a unique opportunity to be celebrated and gain invaluable insights into the recycling industry. The winners of this year’s contest will be invited once again to attend the ISRI Convention, held in Las Vegas.
“ISRI recognizes that today’s students are the leaders for tomorrow’s continued priority of a sustainable planet. Last year, creative students from across the country provided more Youth Recycling Contest entries than ever before. Our partnership with JASON Learning enables students to learn more about the recycled materials industry and showcase their talents and passion for the importance of designing products with recycling as a priority.”
Robin Wiener, President of ISRI
The contest is open to all students living in the United States and Canada enrolled in grades K-12 during the 2023-24 school year. Students can enter the contest as individuals or as a team of up to four individuals. Entries must be submitted by Friday, December 15, 2023, at 11:59 PM EST. Participants can find detailed rules and guidelines on the contest website https://jason.org/2023-isri-jason-recycling-contest/.
In addition to the contest, ISRI and JASON will be hosting an Ask-an-Expert LIVE Event, open to all K-12 students, teachers, and family members. This event offers a unique opportunity to hear from recycling industry experts, gain valuable tips for successful submissions, and ask questions. Please reserve space for the event dates, September 19th, 6:00 pm ET and October 11th, 3:00 pm ET
To support educators and students in their recycling journey, ISRI and JASON have created a Recycling Activities Collection: Lessons and Resources for Grades K-12. This open-source collection provides educators with engaging materials to inform and inspire students about recycling. Visit https://jason.org/isri-activities-collection/ to access the collection.
ISRI and JASON are excited to witness the innovative ideas and creative solutions that participants will bring forth in the 2023-24 Youth Recycling Contest. Together, let’s design for a sustainable future!
For more information about the 2023-24 Youth Recycling Contest, please reach out to Victoria Cross at vcross@jason.org or Dr. Matt Sieloff at msieloff@jason.org.
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About JASON Learning
JASON Learning is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through real-world STEM curricula, project-based learning experiences for Pre-K-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON’s mission is to “inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.” To learn more about JASON, visit https://jason.org/.
JASON Media Contact: Jenna Davis, jdavis@jason.org.
About ISRI
ISRI is the “Voice of the Recycled Materials Industry,™” representing more than 1,500 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ISRI provides advocacy, education, safety, and compliance training and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment, and sustainable development.
ISRI Media Contact: Vicki Morgan, vmorgan@isri.org
