The Trash Art Awards, launched by activist The Trash Traveller in collaboration with OceanCare, aims to raise awareness about pollution through creative expression.

For its second edition, the initiative received 70 submissions from around the world, showcasing the transformation of waste into art and the winners, selected by a jury of young activists, have been announced.

This year, The Trash Traveller also promoted a petition to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics, highlighting the need for public awareness as a key strategy in combating pollution. Participants from countries including Portugal, the USA, Greece, and many others created artworks from typically discarded materials, drawing attention to the importance of reusing and replenishing what we have.

The Trash Art Awards Winners:

Portugal:

  1. 1st Place: "ACTIONS" by SeaTrashJourney
  2. 2nd Place: "Fish the Trash with MeroNation" by bio_living_
  3. 3rd Place: "Residual Cyclist II" by ecomoodportugal

International:

  1. 1st Place: "Mommy and the kids playing with balloons" by udanasart (Spain)
  2. 2nd Place: "Tangled Sea Dragon" by moreresponsibleliving (Kauai, Hawaii)
  3. 3rd Place: "Seahorse" by telka_plasticfish (Germany)

The winners will receive sustainable shopping vouchers and a unique trophy made from ocean plastic, which will be passed on annually. The next edition is scheduled for September 2025, coinciding with International Cleanup Day. Ultimately, The Trash Awards serve to foster community engagement and emphasise the collective effort needed to address environmental issues.