2026 Theme “Don’t Trash Textiles”
Create a billboard ad to teach residents that textiles don’t belong in the trash. Textiles can be reused, repurposed, repaired or recycled separately at a designated collection site.
Click HERE to download a contest template.
Click HERE to read the Contest Rules.
Deadline to submit artwork is Friday, November 14, 2025.
Local and Regional Winners will be announced in April 2026.
What can we do with textiles?
REUSE
- Shop for clothing and household goods at Thrift/Consignment stores in person or online
- Look for items at Tag Sales
- Check to see if your town has a local Buy Nothing group
REPURPOSE
- Check with animal shelters and veterinary clinics for old linens/towels
- Cut up old shirts into cleaning rags
- Turn an old shoe or boot into a flower pot
- Make a reusable bag out of a t-shirt
REPAIR
Consider repairing textiles if they have a small hole, need a new button, or require a hem. Look for fun iron-on patches or watch online tutorials for DIY repairs.
RECYCLE*
All used clothing, even pieces with stains or missing buttons, can be recycled at a designated collection site.
Besides the usual shirts, pants and suits donations, you can also drop off hats, gloves, socks, underwear, belts, ties, purses, handbags, pillows, stuffed animals of any style, age or condition and more!
*at a designated collection site. Click here to view drop off locations and acceptable items.
What happens to textiles after they are collected?
Contest Information By Town
Bethel
Coordinator: Rebecca Lacey-Aubin
Email: laceyr@bethel.k12.ct.us
Drop-Off Location: Return artwork to your school or drop-off at the BOE Office
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Bridgewater
Coordinator: Jessyka Patterson
Email: jessykalox@hotmail.com
Drop-Off Location: Burnham School or Bridgewater Town Hall
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Brookfield
Coordinator: Lisa Gramling
Email: gramlingl@brookfieldps.org
Drop-Off Location: Brookfield Municipal Center
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Danbury
Coordinators: Hisham Rushaidat
Emails: h.rushaidat@danbury-ct.gov
Drop-Off Location: Danbury City Hall 155 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-797-4511
Kent
Coordinator: Ane Starr
Email: StarrA@kentcenter.com
Drop-Off Location: Kent Center School
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
New Fairfield
Coordinators: Barbara Strashun
Email: strashun.barbara@newfairfieldschools.org
Drop-Off Location: Lobby of each school
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
New Milford
Coordinator: Lori Cerra
Email: cerral@newmilfordps.org
Drop-Off Location: New Milford High School
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Newtown
Coordinator: Laura Lerman
Email: chair@newtownartscommission.org
Drop-Off Location: Town Hall – Selectman’s Office
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Redding
Coordinator: Paige Silva
Email: psilva@townofreddingct.org
Drop-Off Location: Redding Highway Department
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Ridgefield
Coordinator: Tiffany Carlson
Email: recyclingcoordinator@ridgefieldct.gov
Drop-Off Location: Town Hall – Information Office
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Roxbury
Coordinator: Jessyka Patterson
Email: jessykalox@hotmail.com
Drop-Off Location: Booth Free School and Shepaug
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Sherman
Coordinator: Ruth Byrnes
Email: rbyrnes@townofshermanct.org
Drop-Off Location: Sherman Town Hall
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Weston
Coordinator: Michael Aitkenhead
Email: michaelaitkenhead@westonps.org
Drop-Off Location: Main office at each school (Hurlbutt Elementary, Weston Intermediate, Weston Middle, Weston High School)
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Wilton
Coordinator: Tammy Thornton
Email: tammy@wiltongogreen.org
Drop-Off Location: Front Lobby of each Wilton School and Town Hall vestibule, back door
Return your artwork to the teacher or organization that gave you the contest template. If you are entering the contest without a teacher or organization please submit your artwork to your town coordinator using the information above. If you have any questions or concerns, please call or email the HRRA. 203.775.4539 or education@hrra.org
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors!
Learn more about our sponsors by clicking on their logos.
