540-658-5279 [email protected]
Submit Your Artwork

Foam Container Ban Poster Contest

Why are we doing this poster contest?

The R-Board is holding a poster contest to inform businesses and community members that all food establishments must stop using foam containers by July 1, 2026. The artwork selected as winners will be used in public information campaigns.

Eligibility

  • Open to students from 6th through 12th grade residing in the City of Fredericksburg or Stafford County. This includes homeschool, private, and public school students.
  • Participants must enter individually. No group submissions will be accepted.
  • Only one submission per participant.
  • All artwork must be original and created by the participant.

Poster Requirements

Theme: Supporting the Ban on Foam (Polystyrene) Food Containers at Food Establishments in Virginia

Posters must:

  • Clearly communicate the environmental or community benefits of banning foam containers.
  • Include one of the phrases, “Ditch the Foam” or “Foam Container-Free”.
  • Be appropriate for public display (no profanity, hate speech, or copyrighted images).
  • Size: 8.5”x11” or 11”x17” inches
  • Format: Submit files digitally in PNG, PDF, or JPG format (must be high resolution for printing). If you are submitting a hand-drawn or painted artwork, you can scan it or take a photo and submit it digitally.

How to Apply

Complete the submission form at https://bit.ly/foamfreeva

Submission deadline: May 15, 2026

By submitting an entry, participants agree that all artwork becomes the property of the R-Board. The R-Board reserves the right to use, reproduce, publish, display, and distribute submitted artwork for promotional, educational, or public awareness purposes. Artwork may be featured in print materials, websites, social media, presentations, reports, or other communications without compensation. The R-Board may edit, resize, or adapt submissions as needed while maintaining the integrity of the original design.

Disqualification Criteria

Submissions will be disqualified if they:

  • Contain copyrighted or AI-generated images not created by the participant.
  • Include inappropriate, offensive, or plagiarized content.
  • Fail to meet size, format, or deadline requirements.

Judging Criteria (100 points Total)

  1. Message Clarity (25 points)
    • Is the message about banning foam containers clear and easy to understand?
    • Does it effectively communicate environmental or health impacts?
  1. Creativity & Originality (25 points)
    • Is the concept unique and engaging?
    • Does the design stand out visually?
  1. Visual Impact (20 points)
    • Use of color, layout, and imagery.
    • Eye-catching and effective from a distance.
  1. Accuracy of Information (15 points)
    • Facts presented are accurate (e.g., foam is non-biodegradable, harms marine life, etc.).
    • Avoids misleading or exaggerated claims.
  1. Call to Action (15 points)
    • Encourages behavior change or support for the ban.
    • Motivates the viewer to act.

Judging Panel

    • Judges may include educators, environmental professionals, community leaders, and business owners.
    • Judges’ decisions are final.

    Awards

    Winners will be selected for 6th -8th grade and 9th-12th grade.

    • 1st Place: Artwork will be featured in R-Board Foam Container Ban campaigns, will receive a Certificate of Recognition, and a surprise gift bag.
    • 2nd Place: Receive a Certificate of Recognition and a surprise gift bag.
    • 3rd Place: Receive a Certificate of Recognition and a surprise gift bag.