NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ASHBURN, VA (September 3, 2024)—JASON Learning and The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) are thrilled to announce the 2024-2025 Youth Recycling Contest, an exciting opportunity for students to showcase their creativity and commitment to recycling.
“ReMA is proud to again be inspiring future recycling leaders through the 2024-2025 Youth Recycling Contest, together with our partners at JASON Learning. We invite all teachers to integrate this contest into their classrooms, so their students can engage STEM and communications skills while learning about a sustainable industry where they can one day build a career.”
— Robin Wiener, ReMA President
This year’s contest challenges participants to create an advertisement in the form of a poster/infographic or a one-minute video that highlights three key features of the recycled materials industry: Sustainable, Resilient, and Essential.
- Sustainable: Recycling helps protect our planet by reducing waste and conserving resources. Students are invited to explore how recycling practices contribute to a sustainable future.
- Resilient: The recycled materials industry strengthens our economy by providing cost-effective, high-quality materials. Entries should illustrate how recycling fosters economic resilience.
- Essential: Recycling ensures the availability of necessary materials for everyday life, improving our quality of life. Participants will highlight the importance of recycling in maintaining essential resources.
“We all want our kids to think about the kind of world they’ll live in as they grow up. Making it easy for them to learn about recycling is a great way to show them how they can have a real impact on their future environment. Last year’s contest brought out incredible creativity from students nationwide, and with more schools emphasizing recycling, we’re excited to see how this year’s entries will continue to inspire and teach others about the importance of recycling. It’s a powerful lesson that helps shape a better world for all of us.”
— Dr. Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of JASON Learning
How to Enter the Youth Recycling Contest
The contest is open to all students living in the United States and Canada enrolled in grades K-12 during the 2024-25 school year, and there is no cost to participate. Students can enter the contest as individuals or as a team of two individuals. All entries must be submitted by December 13, 2024, at 11:59pm ET. Contest details and submission guidelines are available on the contest website: https://jason.org/2024-rema-jason-recycling-contest/
The winners will be invited to attend the 2025 ReMA Convention and Exposition in San Diego, CA, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their work and engage with industry professionals. Each winning student can bring along one teacher and one parent or guardian. This unique opportunity allows for a deeper connection to the recycling industry and offers a chance to celebrate their achievements in a vibrant and supportive setting.
Webinars to Help You Succeed
To assist participants, ReMA and JASON Learning will host two informative webinars:
- October 1, 2024: Introduction to the Contest and Principles of Recycling
- October 30, 2024: Tips and Guidance for Creating Impactful Advertisements
Success Stories: Highlights from Last Year’s Contest
Last year’s contest challenged participants to improve an existing consumer product using Design for Recycling® principles. We received over 285 submissions from more than 550 students nationwide, showcasing a remarkable level of innovation and dedication. Visit https://jason.org/2023-rema-jason-recycling-contest/ to view last year’s entries.
ReMA and JASON Learning encourage students to leverage their research and creativity to illustrate how recycling is integral to building a sustainable, resilient, and essential future. This contest is a fantastic opportunity for young minds to make a difference and gain recognition for their innovative ideas. For more information about the Youth Recycling Contest, please contact Victoria Cross at vcross@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 ReMA
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA 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.
ReMA Media Contact: Rachel Bookman, rbookman@recycledmaterials.org.
