DESIGN-A-SIGN
Youth Art Competition
The City of Pico Rivera needs your help to keep our community clean and waste-free!
Calling all young artists in Pico Rivera! Help lead the way to a cleaner, greener city
by entering our Youth “Design-A-Sign” Art Competition! Pico Rivera is on a mission
to make our community cleaner, greener and healthier for everyone. One powerful
way to do this is by working toward “zero waste” — which means using less, reusing
more, recycling right and keeping organic waste out of landfills.
The City is inviting young artists in our community to design an eye-catching poster that encourages our community to live clean and waste-free! The theme of our contest is: “Sort it Right, Keep Our City right!”
All students are asked to use this theme to creatively guide their artwork. The design should inspire the community to compost, recycle, stop littering and reuse everyday items instead of throwing them away. Poster designs will be judged on creativity, impact, clarity and how well they promote zero waste and community cleanliness.
Age categories:
• Elementary and Middle School Students • High School Students
Selected student artwork will be featured in public places across Pico Rivera to help remind community members to keep our community clean and sort their waste!
Together, we can create a healthier and more beautiful City, starting with meaningful and impactful art.
Art Contest Rules and Instructions
Rules and Instruction
- Artwork must be original and created by the student.
- Digital art is allowed but must include proof of originality (e.g., hand-drawn sketches).
- Designs must be respectful and relevant to the contest theme.
- Submissions must follow size
guidelines in the provided templates.* - Open to students enrolled in ERUSD or other eligible K–12 schools within Pico Rivera.**
- Submit entries by Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 5 p.m. Drop off at Pico Rivera City Hall or email to sustainability@pico-rivera.org
What to Keep in Mind When Creating Your Design
- Organic waste like food scraps produces
harmful methane emissions — your art
can help raise awareness! - In Pico Rivera: Yard waste (leaves, clippings, branches) can go loose in the green bin. Food waste & soiled paper must be bagged in a clear plastic bag before placing in the green bin.
- Recyclables must be clean and dry
to be properly processed. - Accepted recyclables include: Plastics
#1, #2, #5, Aluminum cans, Glass bottles,
Paper and cardboard - Contamination in the organic green bin and the recycling blue bin can result in this waste being diverted to the landfills, resulting in higher pollution.
Student Categories and Prizes
- Elementary & Middle School (K–8th Grade) and High School (9th–12th Grade) students are invited to participate.
- Up to 10 winners will be selected from the K-8th grade category
- Up to 8 winners will be selected from
the 9th-12th grade category
- Winning artwork will be featured on BigBelly waste bins at Smith Park, and each student will receive a certificate of recognition from the City!
- All winning entries — regardless of grade level — will be considered for the grand prize: Artwork featured on an official NASA waste truck for the entire community to see!
Students from the following schools are eligible to participate:
Rivera Academy
Rio Vista Elementary School
Maizeland Elementary School
Durfee Elementary School
Birney Tech Academy
North Ranchito
Elementary School
Montebello Gardens
Elementary School
Magee Academy of
Arts and Sciences
Valencia Academy of the Arts
Saint Marianne de Pardes School
St. Hilary School
Rio Hondo Elementary School
Armenian Mesrobian School
Rivera Middle School
The STEAM Academy @ Burke
North Park Academy of the Arts
El Rancho High School
