WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is sponsoring a video contest that challenges filmmakers to produce short, creative videos that highlight the "Three Rs" of individual consumption: reduce, reuse, and recycle. The agency is accepting submissions for the contest, called "Our Planet, Our Stuff, Our Choice," through Feb. 16.

Entries should be either 30 or 60 seconds in length. The video should creatively promote steps individuals and organizations can take to minimize negative environmental impacts within their communities on the following topics:

• Reducing and reusing
• Recycling
• Composting
• Consumption and its effect on environmental footprint

 

The winning submissions will be announced in April 2010, in time for the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. Awards will be given to the top three videos in the following amounts, as well as a special "Student Winner" category exclusively for submissions by persons 13 to 18 years old at the time of entry.

1st Place - $2,500
2nd Place - $1,500
3rd Place - $1,000
2 Student Winners (13 to 18 years old) - $500 each

For more information on the contest, visit http://www.epa.gov/recycle.  Good luck!