Lithgow's creative community has been recognised at the 2026 Waste 2 Art exhibition and competition, with local schools, artists and community members celebrated for transforming discarded materials into imaginative works that champion reuse and sustainability.
Waste 2 Art is an annual program led by NetWaste that challenges people's perceptions of 'rubbish' by inviting creative works made from reused waste materials. This year's theme, Shrink Your Footprint, encouraged entrants to create works that fit inside a shoebox, inspiring thoughtful responses to sustainability through arts and crafts.
Mayor Cassandra Coleman said Waste 2 Art continues to showcase the talent of the Lithgow community while encouraging practical action on waste reduction saying "Each year, the community of Lithgow participates in this program, challenging us all to reduce, reuse and recycle, and to see the possibilities and innovation that come from letting nothing go to waste,"
Judges praised the winning works for their originality, strong design and imaginative use of reused materials, with entries ranging from thought-provoking environmental messages to whimsical sculptural pieces. Mayor Coleman thanked all participants for contributing to another successful exhibition and competition, describing Lithgow as a brilliant, resourceful and creative community.
Award winners included:
- Zig Zag Public School for Riding the Wave: Shrinking our Footprint in Primary School (3D)
- Noah Hunter for Succulent Shoes in Primary School (Functional)
- Ryan Caffey for Modern Simplicity in High School (3D)
- Clare McAdam for Loose Fruit, Darn it, Op Shop, Handmade in Community (2D)
- Eithin Ashton for Dapper Frog in Community (3D)
- Michael Green for Mirror Mirror in Community (Functional)
- Fiona Russell for A Shoebox Full of Imagination in Open (3D)
