Essex County Making g’ART’bage Contest

The Environmental Center’s g’ART’bage contest takes a creative approach to protecting our planet by pulling garbage that cannot be easily recycled or is commonly littered and transforming it into works of public art. Team and individual projects are welcome. Winning entrees will be displayed during the week of Earth Day! Grand prizes are awarded to entries that place 1st in all categories; 2nd and 3rd place entries will be recognized with a plaque, certificate, and a small gift from the Environmental Center.

Pre-registration required. Contact (973) 228-8776 or email tbutler@parks.essexcountynj.org

Our 2026 theme is Birds!
Register by Wednesday, April 8; Project Drop-Off, Saturday, April 11; 10:30am to 1:30pm
For children in Pre-K through 12th grades.

For registration, rules and information Click Here!

Event Details

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Project Drop-off: Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10:30am to 1:30pm

Event Summary

2026 Essex County Making g’ART’bage Contest

Related Project

Information on Bids for Outside Legal Counsel, Solid Waste Recycling Consultant, Auditing Services, Accounting Services and Video Production Services

BID INFORMATION HERE

Plastic #1 and #2

Plastic #1

Plastic #1 refers to polyethylene terephthalate. Common uses include water and soft drink bottles, food jars and containers, and salad dressing bottles.

Plastic #2

Plastic #2 refers to high density polyethylene. Common uses include bottles for household cleaners and milk jugs.

White Goods

Refrigerators, ranges, water heaters, freezers, and other similar domestic appliances.

Ferrous Scrap

Ferrous metals contain iron, while non-ferrous metals do not. Ferrous metals are also magnetic.

Acceptable Materials

Computers

Monitors

Printers

Telecom Equipment

Fax Machines

Speakers

Main Frames

DVD Players

Old Cellular Telephones

Scanners

Televisions

Keyboards

VCRs

Stereos

Toasters

Irons

Unacceptable Materials

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms*

*These products should be returned to their manufacturer.

Commercial and Large Quantity Users May Not Drop Off Items.

Acceptable Materials

Pesticides and Herbicides

Darkroom/Photographic chemicals

Driveway sealer

Aerosol spray paints

Nicad/Rechargeable Batteries

Automotive fluids (antifreeze, motor oil, steering fluids, etc.)

Household cleaning fluids

Car batteries

Fire extinguishers (home)

Pool chemicals

Mercury and products containing mercury

Gasoline/Kerosene

Oil based paints and stains

Chemistry sets

Propane tanks (barbecue type)

Fluorescent light bulbs and ballasts

Unacceptable Materials

Latex paint

Regulated Medical Waste or Infectious Waste

Explosives, Munitions, Ordnance or Reactive Materials

Unlabeled or Unidentified Materials

Commercial or Industrial Waste

Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms*

*These products should be returned to their manufacturer.

Asbestos

Empty Containers

Household batteries( AA, AAA, C, D, 9V)

Microwaves

Not For Commercial and Industrial Facilities.