Pennsylvania is recognized as a national leader in building a new future with green energy – by converting landfill gas into usable energy. As educators of our youngest generations, we challenge you and your class to join the movement and help us to spread the word about the benefits of renewable – also known as green – energy to the people in your communities.

The 2008 statewide contest is open to all students grades K through 12. Every student entering will receive an acknowledgment of participation. Entries will be divided into three categories – elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). In each category, one first place winner will be awarded $500.00, one second place winner will receive $200.00 and one honorable mention prize of $100.00 will be given. First place winners in each category will be invited to Harrisburg to show off their winning entry.

Did you know...

• Today's state-of-the-art landfill gas technology allows 60-90% of landfill gas to be collected for use as green energy.
• Green energy can be piped off-site to generate electricity or to power industrial operations.
• Converting landfill gas to energy directly reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
• By using green energy we off-set the use of non-renewable resources like coal, oil and natural gas. (Source: Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association)
• The electricity produced by PA landfills is enough to power nearly 8 million light bulbs for a year.
• The amount of PA landfill gas used as a direct fuel is the equivalent of 3.7 million barrels of oil. (Derived from EPA benefits calculator, using 100 MW of electricity annually and 7,000 million standard cubic feet of landfill gas for industrial/commercial use.)

Teacher Resources

Here are some additional resources to learn about renewable/green energy.

• http://www.pawasteindustries.org/industry_issues_green_energy.asp
• www.gggc.state.pa.us
• www.epa.gov/lmop/overview.htm#methane
• www.depweb.state.pa.us/landrecwaste/cwp/view.asp?a=1238&q=463613

Contest Rules

1. The poster should reflect the theme Green Energy... It's Energizing PA! in good quality, communicative art.
2. No company, product or individual names may appear on the poster
3. The poster must be created with crayons, color pencils, markers or paint on white
   8½" x 11" paper. No computer generated art will be accepted.
4. The poster will not be returned and the decision of the judges is final.
5. The identification form must be placed on the back of each poster entry.
6. Deadline for entry is Friday, September 19, 2008. If you have any questions, please call Virginia Roth at 717-232-1898.

Please send all entries to:
PWIA's Green Energy Poster Contest
PO Box 968
Harrisburg, PA 17108

The Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association is a statewide association of private-sector waste haulers and landfill operators in the Commonwealth. Our mission is to:

• Promote the efficient and environmentally safe management of solid waste.
• Advocate sound public policy affecting the management of solid waste.
• Communicate the benefits the waste industry provides to the people of Pennsylvania.

We are proud to be part of the energy solution!