Recycle Montana and Coca Cola recently sponsored the annual Recycle Montana Trash Dash September 17th through the 24th awarding the participating teams cash prizes for picking up garbage and recyclables in areas across the state. The teams weighed the “stuff” they collected and submitted the weights to Recycle Montana. The weights were compared across the board and winners were selected for the Most Recyclables and Heaviest Garbage. Cash was also awarded to the Teams for the Best Use of the Trash Dash Logo and the Most Unusual Garbage or Recyclables. Glendive Recycles Our Waste (GROW) won or placed in the most categories with a total of $468 while Winifred FFA came in second overall with $280. Their team consisted of 7th through 11th grade students numbering 30+ in total. They held an in-grade competition for candy allowing each grade 30 minutes to “Dash for the Trash”. Nashua FFA won 3rd overall and a total of $200, Valier FFA, won a total of $145, Gardiner FFA won an overall total of $117 and Lockwood Lions won a total of $40. 

FFA’s Statewide win Recycle Montana Trash Dash Cash

Future Farmers of America (FFA) teams from across the state dominated the Recycle Montana Trash Dash event held September 14^th to 21^st. Each team collected trash and recyclables, photographed themselves during the process, and weighed their finds. The winners were determined by the heaviest weights and most unusual item they collected.

Recycle Montana Executive Director, Candi Zion, stated, “This year we offered a Super Pickin’ Bonus to the Missoula team. In total, they picked up 10,420 pounds of trash and recyclables. That is over 5 tons. We wanted to recognize the tremendous effort they put forth into keeping Montana Clean and Green.”

Recycle Montana Trash Dash Winners 2023: 

Most Recyclables: 1 $250 GROW 4350#; 2 $150 Nashua FFA 406#; 3 $100 Winifred FFA 96#.  Most Garbage: 1 $112 Winifred FFA 463#; 2 $93 GROW 100#; 3 $75 Gardiner FFA 30#; 4 $ 56 Valier FFA 20#; 5 $40 Lockwood Lions 15#. Most Unusual Garbage: 1 $31 Winifred- Lighter, glove, cigarettes, cat litter, fan belt, Styrofoam block; 2 $18 Gardiner- Yeti cup, German filter label for car, motel card; 3 $14 Valier- Three tennis shoes. Most Unusual Recyclable: 1 $37; Winifred- Two metal pieces, folding chair, electrical cord; 2 $24 Gardiner- Rebar. Best Use of Trash Dash Logo: 1 $125 GROW- Logo on safety vests, bags, bandanas. 2 $75 Valier- T-shirt with 2 logos covering a horse bouncy ball. 3 $50 Nashua- Logo on t-shirt. For more information contact Candi Zion, Recycle Montana Executive Director at recycle406@gmail.com. Pictures and results of the Trash Dash are also posted on the Recycle Montana Facebook page.

Thank your Trash Dash sponsor, Coca-Cola.

Two GROW Team members

Part of Winifred FFA Team