2026 Theme: Our Power, Our Planet
Earth Day has never been meant to live for just one date on the calendar. In 2026, the focus moves past awareness and into responsibility. The Earth Day 2026 theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” challenges the idea that caring for the planet is symbolic or optional. It asks a harder question: what happens after Earth Day ends? The choices made in homes, workplaces, classrooms, and communities to reduce waste carries more weight than speeches or social posts. Earth Day 2026 draws attention to the power people already possess to reduce, reuse, repurpose and recycle waste—and whether you harness that power or not can protect the planet or damage it.
Earth Positive Tips for Reducing Plastic, Food, Textile & Packaging Waste
To learn where to take your resources to be recycled visit our website www.regiondrecycling.com or give us a call at 816-393-5250.
Let’s always recycle appliances, electronics and tires. Recycling electronics allows valuable elements such as gold and silver to be reused and prevents other toxic chemicals from entering our landfills that may leach into groundwater. Tires may be recycled into picnic tables and benches!
Let’s recycle household hazardous wastes, such as rechargeable batteries, oil-based paint, household cleaners, lawn and garden products, automotive fluids, bug sprays, flea collars, fluorescent light bulbs, cooking oil, automotive fluids, aerosols and all that stuff in your garage or under your sink.
Enter the Region D Recycling Earth Day Art Contest– your art may motivate others to rethink their daily waste habits. A contest flier is located by clicking here.
Earth Day Poster and Trash Art Contest Info
Eligible Participants
Students and homeschool students in grades K-12, residing in one of the following counties: Andrew, Buchanan, Clinton and DeKalb Counties are encouraged to participate.
Prizes
First Place winners receive: Earth-friendly gifts ($30 value). Second Place winners receive: Earth-friendly gifts ($15 value). Honorable mentions receive: Earth Friendly gifts ($5 value). Prizes are made of recyclable material. All contest participants will receive a small token from the district.
Contest Dates: March 20 to April 20
Submission Guidelines
All poster and electronic art entries should promote the annual theme. Trash art projects need not adhere to the theme, but should be constructed of recyclable and/or re-purposed material. Projects may be completed at home or in the classroom.
- Posters and graphic art should be no larger than 18″ x 13″. Copyrighted clip art and other characters (like Superman) will be accepted, but cannot be used in future promotions.
- Trash art projects should be no larger than 1′ x 1′ x 1′. Projects must be made from recycled or re-purposed materials.
- All submissions must have: student name and grade; school district and school name; teacher/sponsor’s name or homeschool contact information. Entries without proper identification may be disqualified.