Gilgandra Shire Council (GSC) will be turning trash into treasure this year, thanks to the 2025 Waste 2 Art competition, hosted by NetWaste.  

Waste 2 Art aims to get people rethinking views on waste. Every year has a different waste theme; people submit creative works made from reused and recyclable materials which get showcased regionally.  

The 2025 theme is 'toys.'  

Individual councils host local exhibitions, then winning artworks go on to the regional exhibition. 

General Manager at GSC, David Neeves, said the council was excited to be involved in the program.  

“Council is excited to again be involved in the Waste 2 Art program, having been involved in previous years and we again look forward to seeing the creative works from our local community. 

“Waste that goes into our bins ends up the landfill at the Gilgandra Waste Facility and it’s surprising how much comes in each year.  

"It’s important we all think about how much waste we are producing as it doesn’t just disappear."  

Coonamble Shire Council and Outback Arts are collaborating to host the annual Waste 2 Art competition and exhibition for their region, and are accepting entries from Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Cobar, Walgett, and Warren. 

NetWaste Environmental Learning Advisor, Bill Tink, says the workshop is both a fun and educational way to get people considering the impact waste has on people and the environment.  

"Did you know 50 per cent of toys end up thrown away after their first year of use? 

"Waste 2 Art this year will be a chance to remind everyone that batteries in toys pose a risk to our waste workers and batteries in toys can create a fire risk at our landfills. 

"Most entrants in Waste 2 Art end up researching the theme waste and we know that when we research, make and create our learning is a lot deeper and more meaningful."  

The final regional exhibition is being held in Dubbo at the Western Plains Cultural Heritage Centre later this year.