Feb. 25. If you can picture a dress made out of books, cardboard, aluminum cans, newspaper or rigid foam—and you’re a teen—”Recycle the Runway” is for you.

Mecklenburg County’s annual fashion show highlighting outfits made from recyclable goods offers high school students from public or private Mecklenburg County schools an opportunity to create avant-garde fashions.

At least 85 percent of the outfit must be made of items that can be recycled.

Hosted by Mecklenburg County Solid Waste and Keep Mecklenburg Beautiful, the event culminates in the “Recycle the Runway” show at Northlake Mall on May 3.

Students should work in teams and will be eligible to win a cash prize for their school. Each school can submit up to three outfit designs.

Initial sketches and a list of materials that will be used to construct an entry are due March 30, 2025.

School registration is required for teams to participate. For more information, contact Aaron.Caudle@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.