Ecomaine, the nonprofit recycling and waste disposal operation, will select as many as six winning entries to turn “silver bullet” recycling containers into something more colorful with a strong recycling message. The public has been invited to enter a design for a metal canvas measuring 22 feet, 6 inches by 6 feet, 10 inches.

Susan McGinty, an ecomaine board member and chair of its recycling committee, said, “This is the third year for our contest and we’re looking forward to seeing the new imaginative, eye-catching art that will result. The ultimate goal, however, is to bring public attention to recycling and this is a fun and an effective way to do that.”

The contest, she noted, is open to everyone and the winners will each get $500 in painting supplies. The winners must do the painting themselves, but are welcome to enlist a team of friends to help get the job done (all four sides must be used in the design).

The Recycling is a Work of Art contest is open to anyone of any age who is a resident of one of ecomaine’s 45 communities and entries must be received by March 30. For a list of eligible communities, an official entry form and other information, visit www.ecomaine.org.