On Aug. 14, the City of Albuquerque introduced an art competition organized by Keep Albuquerque Beautiful, a branch of the Solid Waste Management Department (SWMD), to design the official Junk Jog t-shirt. According to a press release from the city, the Junk Jog event involves jogging while collecting litter to enhance the Bosque's cleanliness.
“Keeping our City and Bosque clean is a One Albuquerque effort,” said Billy Gallegos, interim director of SWMD, according to the press release. “As this event continues to grow every year, we are excited to offer this opportunity to the public. We can’t wait to see what they come up with to celebrate our volunteers and the spirit behind this event.”
The contest welcomes participants of all ages and presents an opportunity for the community to engage in environmental stewardship, according to the press release. Shirt designs should be monochromatic and include the phrases "Keep Albuquerque Beautiful" and "Junk Jog." Registrants that also volunteer to attend the October 28 event will receive a t-shirt showcasing the winning design and the winner of the art competition will also receive their own personalized shirt.
Designs can be submitted online here and the deadline for submissions is Friday, Sept. 15, 2023.
According to the department's website, SWMD staff is committed to enhancing the city's livability, productivity, and recreational appeal by maintaining medians, promptly removing graffiti and managing trash and recycling collection. Their mission is to motivate and educate communities about adopting simple, daily practices for proper recycling and neighborhood improvement. Residents can schedule pickups for large items with 311 in advance, at no extra cost, on their regular trash collection day. The department further accommodates residents' needs through three Convenience Centers and eleven recycling drop-off sites citywide. With the single-stream recycling program, all recyclables can be placed in one container, making recycling convenient for both residents and businesses.