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Global Recycling Day Essay Writing Competition

Theme: Don’t Think Waste. Think Opportunity!

Open to ages 8–17 in Antigua & Barbuda

📅 Deadline: March 11th, 2026 

In celebration of Global Recycling Day on 18th March 2026, the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation invites young writers to explore creative solutions to plastic waste and environmental sustainability. This competition gives youth a platform to research, reflect, and propose ideas that can make a real difference locally.

THE CHALLENGE

Plastic waste is a global problem with local impact. Students are invited to think critically about how waste can become an opportunity for innovation and change. We are looking for innovative solutions for NO Plastic NO Waste and how Antigua & Barbuda can learn from the rest of the world.

Your prompt

Research one country anywhere in the world that has an effective recycling or waste-reduction initiative.
Explain how this initiative works and how a similar approach could be applied in Antigua & Barbuda to reduce plastic waste. Remember to think outside the box!

Guidelines
  • Your submission MUST be your original work 

  • Please do not put your name in the body of your essay

  • Submissions must be made in English

  • Typed and submitted as PDF or Word document

  • Word count:

    • 8–12: 300–500 words

    • 13–17: 500–700 words

  • One entry per participant

Prizes

Each winning essay will receive:

  • One published blog post featured on the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation website

  • Excerpts of the winning essay shared on our social media platforms

  • An award certificate

Additional prizes will be announced closer to the closing date. Winner will be announced by March 18th 2026.

How to Submit

Complete the submission form below and upload your essay before the deadline. A confirmation email will be sent once your entry has been successfully received.

By submitting an entry, participants and parents/guardians confirm that:

  • The essay is original work

  • Permission is granted for winning entries or excerpts to be published on the West Indies Sail Heritage Foundation website and social media platforms for educational and promotional purpose