01Creativity and Originality
30%How innovative and unique is the design and the use of waste materials? Does the piece surprise the viewer? Is the approach fresh and unexpected?
Judging
The rubric is published before anyone builds anything
Every judge scores every artwork against the same five criteria, out of 10 each, and writes a comment explaining the mark.
02Environmental Impact
25%How much waste was repurposed? What types of materials were used? Does the artwork demonstrate meaningful waste diversion from the environment?
03Craftsmanship and Quality
20%How well executed is the final piece? Is it structurally sound, visually strong and durable? Was care and skill applied to the construction?
04Message and Awareness
15%Does the artwork communicate an environmental theme effectively? Will a viewer understand the message without being told? Is the artist statement clear and compelling? Judge the artwork and the artist statement here, not the feedback answers.
05Reflection and Learning
10%Read the learner's own written answers. How honestly and specifically do they describe what they understood about plastic waste before, what changed, how they actually built the piece and what they would do differently? Reward real thinking and concrete detail. Do not mark down spelling, grammar or fluency in English.
The artist statement
Every entry carries a written artist statement of 100 to 250 words. It is read under Message and Awareness. A strong one says what the artwork represents, which waste was used and where it came from, how it connects to our rivers, and what the viewer should feel or do.
The rules
- Original work only, made by the learner who enters it.
- Collected waste is the main material, not a decoration.
- Process photographs must show the real build.
- The school leadership team may not enter for cash prizes.
- Learners keep their artwork. Contributions back to the programme are voluntary.