Online Voting for Recycled Latex Paint Art Contest to Begin Nov. 15

Discovery-School-Art-ClubThe Recycling & Waste Reduction District of Porter County will mark America Recycles Day on Nov. 15, by opening up online voting for the first-ever Recycled Latex Paint School Art Contest.

The public will be able to vote for their favorite masterpieces among the nine panels painted by students in Porter County and displayed on the district’s website, www.ItMeansTheWorld.org, through Nov. 22. Each panel portrays an environmental theme.

The school with the most votes will win a bench made out of 1,550 recycled milk jugs for use indoors or outdoors. Schools/classes that place second and third will also be recognized.

In October, upper grade level schools throughout Porter County were challenged with painting a recycling or environmental theme on a two foot by seven foot panel using recycled latex paint from the City of Hobart paint recycling facility.

Nine schools accepted the task: Chesterton Middle School, Discovery Charter School, Hebron High School, Nativity of Our Savior School, Portage High School, St. Patrick Catholic School, Victory Christian Academy, Washington Township, and Westchester Intermediate School.

While photos of the panels will be available online, all panels will be on display in the Porter County Government Administration Building, 155 Indiana Ave., Valparaiso, from Nov. 12-Dec. 13.

We want to help people close the recycling loop by calling attention to this great resource of recycled latex paint that is available free to non-profits and governmental agencies,” said Therese Davis, executive director of the district. “It’s also available to any resident or business for $3 per gallon, a great price for a great product that helps us save our natural resources.

The public can obtain the recycled paint at the City of Hobart Department of Public Works, 340 S. Shelby St., Mondays through Fridays, between 7 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. For more information on purchasing recycled latex paint, call 219-942-6121.

Porter County residents are encouraged to not only use recycled latex paint but also to contribute useable latex paint to the program. Useable latex paint is accepted at the City of Hobart Department of Public Works or at district sponsored household hazardous waste collection events. The next event is scheduled for May 2014.

Please don’t dispose of paint or any household hazardous waste, like old pesticides, oil, gasoline, etc., down into storm sewers,” Davis added. “Storm sewers do not connect to waste water treatment plants but instead move water directly to local streams and water bodies. Remember ‘Only Rain Down the Drain.’”

The district sponsors household hazardous waste events to help residents properly dispose of these products.

The Recycling and Waste Reduction District of Porter County is a government agency dedicated to improving the environment and quality of life for Porter County residents by providing convenient, voluntary waste reduction programs. The district promotes environmental stewardship among individuals and businesses through education programs, waste reduction services and other outreach programs.