Published: October 14, 2025
Bartow, Fla. (Oct. 14, 2025) –The Polk County Government Solid Waste Division, in partnership with Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. and Polk County Public Schools, unveiled recycling bins featuring winning artwork from the Inaugural 2025 Middle School Recycling Art Contest.
The ceremony honored two talented eighth-grade artists whose creative visions will now inspire residents visiting the Polk County North Central Landfill, where the bins are located.
County Commission Chair Rick Wilson, County Commission Vice Chair Martha Santiago, County Commissioner Mike Scott, County Manager Bill Beasley, and several deputy county managers attended the event. Keep Polk County Beautiful Board Members, Polk County Public Schools representatives, and the winning students’ families also joined the celebration.
“This contest highlights how creative and passionate our students are when it comes to protecting the environment,” said Katie Hayes, Executive Director of Keep Polk County Beautiful, Inc. “It’s inspiring to see how the next generation is already stepping up to make a difference.”
The contest invited middle school students to design artwork promoting recycling and sustainability. From dozens of submissions, six finalists were selected. The first and second place winners’ designs now appear on the large roll-off recycling bins at the Polk County North Central Landfill. The first place winner, Isabel Parra Giddings from Union Academy, submitted “Recycle for Them,” and second-place winner Zoei Ogilvie from Jewett Middle Academy, submitted “The 3 Rs,” which are reuse, reduce and recycle.
The four runners-up have their artwork displayed in the Polk County Government Administration Building in Bartow alongside the winners. The six students’ artwork will also be on display at the Polk County Solid Waste Administration building.
The contest is part of ongoing efforts by the Solid Waste Division and Keep Polk County Beautiful to promote environmental education and youth involvement.