Saline Students Turn Recycling Into Bees, Backpack and Boxibot

A trio of tiny bees, a wearable backpack and a bright pink robot helped Woodland Meadows Elementary in Saline sweep the top three spots in the 2026 Washtenaw County School Recycling Program Art Contest.

All three winning entries came from Woodland Meadows students, who used toilet paper rolls, old sweatshirts, yogurt containers, drink carriers, bottle caps and other everyday items to show what can happen when students look at used materials in a new way.

First-place winner Mackenzie Nicol, a second grader, created “The 3 Bees,” a piece connected to Woodland Meadows’ school expectations: Bee responsible, Bee respectful and Bee safe.

“My work portrays Woodland Meadows 3 Bees,” Mackenzie wrote. “Just like the bees do, we work together to make the world a better place.”

Her piece was made from recycled paper products, including toilet paper rolls, packing peanuts, fast food drink carriers, packing paper and leftover craft items.

Second-place winner Felix Cain, a third grader, created “Da Backpack” out of cardboard, three old sweatshirts and boat straps.

“I can wear it to school every day so it can carry my books,” Felix wrote.

Third-place winner Annabelle Woodhurst, a second grader, created “Pink Boxibot,” a bright pink robot made from yogurt containers, McDonald’s cups and lids, an olive oil bottle, a laundry detergent bottle, toilet paper rolls, apple juice bottles and caps.

The piece shows “how everyday items can become something creative and fun,” Annabelle wrote.

Woodland Meadows Principal Laura Washington said she was proud to see students’ work highlighted through the county program.

“I am so proud to see the hard work of Woodland Meadows students displayed through this program,” Washington said. “The program serves as an important reminder of the creativity and problem-solving young people can bring to our community.”

The contest is part of the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office School Recycling Program, which provides funding, support and coordination to participating schools in Washtenaw County.

Theo Eggermont, public works director for the Water Resources Commissioner’s Office, said the effort began with a grant in 2016 at eight schools and has grown to 36 schools. Its primary goals are to increase K-12 school recycling rates and help build habits students and staff can carry into the larger community.

County staff reached out to all six school districts this year and received 33 entries. Eggermont said choosing winners is always difficult because of the number of strong submissions.

“The art contest is a fun hands-on component of the recycling program,” Eggermont said. “We’ve found that contest unlocks creativity.”

Schools have flexibility in how they participate, while the county requires an educational component before recycling collection costs are reimbursed. The county also contracts with the Ecology Center to provide recycling and composting lessons for different grade levels.

Eggermont said the contest helps students think beyond simply placing items in a bin.

“So often I find myself just throwing recycling in the recycling bin and not thinking about reuse,” Eggermont said. “With the art contest, students are using materials for their artwork.”

At Woodland Meadows, that meant students did more than learn about recycling. They built something from it.