Lorain County Solid Waste showcases 1,490 entries and 13 winners in 2025 calendar contest

Brandy Schnell, special projects manager for the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District, presented the district’s 2025 calendar contest winners and previewed artwork selected for the county’s calendar. Schnell said the contest drew 1,490 entries and that judging produced 13 winners who will appear in the 2025 calendar.

Schnell described a scheduling change this year: the district moved the contest from spring to fall to reduce burden on teachers and to make distribution timelier. She said winners completed a short questionnaire about their inspiration and plans for their prize money — examples included a seventh-grade artist who plans to donate some winnings to Catholic Charities and a second grader who plans to buy a box of football cards.

Director Thomas Patrick of Solid Waste Services joined Schnell to present checks and certificates to winners who came forward. Schnell noted the district also selected 12 honorable mentions and that residents may pick up calendars at the Lorain County collection center beginning next Monday; the center’s hours were read aloud (Mondays and Saturdays 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; Wednesdays 12 p.m.–6 p.m.). Schnell also encouraged bringing recyclable items when picking up calendars and noted the district accepts old Christmas lights and certain plastic film streams.

The presentation emphasized youth engagement and local recycling education; Schnell said the contest and the county’s plastic-bag collection at schools (roughly 3,000 bags collected so far) are part of broader efforts to expand commodity streams at the collection center.