The "Can the Trash!" Clean Beach Poster Contest is calling on all 3rd to 5th-grade students in LA County to design a beach trash barrel that could be the next big hit on the sands of Southern California.

As a part of an educational push to combat ocean pollution, youngsters are tasked with creating artwork that delivers a punchy environmental message. The winning designs will be wrapped around trash barrels that line the county's famed beaches, including hotspots like Dockweiler and Venice. It's a chance for these kids to showcase their talent to the millions who bask in the SoCal sun each year.

The contest, highlighted by the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches & Harbours in partnership with Heal the Bay, aims to remind residents that marine pollution starts in our very own backyards—or more accurately, our kitchen sinks. It’s an extension of the wider “Clean and Blue” campaign, which also features an educational video and a downloadable "Ocean Heroes" activity guide to help spread the word from the classroom to the coast.

Entries need to wash up on the contest's digital shore by January 31st, 2024, according to the contest rules posted on the Beaches & Harbors website. For those looking for inspiration, past winners are available for viewing on the same site. 

Parents and teachers are encouraged to rally their aspiring artists to put their passion for the planet onto paper—or canvas, or whatever medium they prefer. More details can be surfed at the contest's webpage.