The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) congratulates Rex Beltz and his 9-12 graders in the Glasgow School District on being selected among four winners in the 2025 “No MOre Trash!” trash-can-decorating contest. 

MoDOT sponsors the contest as part of Missouri’s “No MOre Trash!” campaign to raise awareness about and discourage littering. The contest encourages kindergarten through 12th-grade students to join the fight against litter by decorating and displaying a large trash can with the “No MOre Trash!” logo and a litter-prevention message using a variety of creative mediums.

Other winners include Immaculate Conception Catholic School (K-2 grade category) and Mountain View Elementary School (3-5 Grade category). East Carter R-II School District won the 6-8 grade category and the grand prize for their entry, “Don’t get HOOKED on Litter.”

The Glasgow school district won the 9-12 grade category. 

Glasgow High School principal Rex Beltz and his nine through 12 graders in the high school category for their “River Recycle” entry.

“The ‘River Recycle’ project is a community-focused environmental initiative designed to keep our local river clean and healthy by preventing trash from polluting its waters,” Mr. Beltz wrote in the district’s submission entry. “These uniquely designed trash cans will encourage residents, visitors, and tourists to dispose of their waste responsibly, ensuring that the river remains free from harmful trash and debris.”

The school will receive a check for $200 for the category win.

The first-place winners from each of the four competition categories (K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12) receive a $200 award. All first-place winners were then eligible for the $600 grand prize and trophy. Entries are judged by MoDOT staff. 

The winners were among 24 entries from Missouri students. See images and information on all entries online at modot.org/trash-can-contest. 

 “No MOre Trash!” is a statewide litter-prevention campaign that works to clean up Missouri through education, prevention, and cleanup programs. Schools, families, groups, organizations, and communities can volunteer to pick up litter, educate others about litter, conduct litter-free activities, and encourage friends and families to participate. For more information, visit modot.org/no-more-trash.