Recycling becomes an art form as Ryde offers big prizes

Ryde Council has launched its Sustainable Waste to Art Prize open to all ages in the hope that people will think more about consumption, recycling and reusing.

Marsden High Students with their entries to the Ryde Council Sustainable Waste to Art Prize. Pictured (left) is Sasha Avvali, 13, Kay Kornpathsorn, 18, and Zane Mestousis, 13.

Ever since the words vintage and retro became a part of our modern vocabulary, the idea of reusing and recycling have become mainstream and now Ryde Council is getting wholeheartedly behind the concept.

For the last few years the council has being running a youth-focused recycled art competition.

Now it has been renamed as the Sustainable Waste to Art Prize and is open to all ages.

Marsden High student Alex Hawkins, 13, with his entry to the Ryde Council Sustainable Waste to Art Prize.

Council’s sustainability co-ordinator Kylie McMahon said the aim of the prize was education.

“We wanted to address community education around consumption, and getting people to think about how they consume, recycle and refuse,’’ she said. “There has been this growing trend around reuse and we’ve seen a significant rise in entries each year.’’

Kay Kornpathsorn, 18, and his entry.

In the lead up to the entry date closing next month, council will hold a series of workshops teaching people reuse techniques.

On Wednesday, July 2, there will be one called Paper Cut and Plastic Animation for children.

It involves taking plastic objects, filming them using your own technology and then turning the scenes into an animated short film

“We want to give people some inspiration for their entries and teach them new skills,’’ Ms McMahon said.

Sustainable Waste to Art Prize accepts entries from those who live and work in the Ryde area.

Entries can range from sculpture to collage, digital media, to textile and must include a sustainable living theme.

Trash to treasure

WHAT: Ryde Council’s sustainable art prizes in categories for over 18, youth 16-25 and junior 11- 15, plus a People’s Choice.

WHY: Encouraging refuse of everyday objects

ENTRIES close on Monday, July 28

For more information go to ryde.nsw.gov.au