All that glittered at Baycourt Theatre yesterday wasn't gold – it was trash.

The Sustainable Art Challenge featured plenty of sparkly, glittery materials on stage but it was tinfoil, bottle caps and old compact discs, as well as recycled cat food pouches, newspaper, disposable coffee cups, ties, cell phones, communion cups and plastic bags.

The annual competition, which includes awards for Trash to Fash, Upcycled Junk, photography and short movies, aims to teach young people about the benefits of recycling and the prevention of waste going to landfill.

The contestants in the Trash to Fash category were encouraged to create a masterpiece using any available materials, or something made from waste found around the home or at work.

Among the winners was Hope Gibbard from Mount Maunganui College with her elaborate dragon creation made from recycled foam packaging.

Her brother Nicholas Gibbard from Mount Maunganui Intermediate won the wearable art award in the intermediate section with his outfit made from seed pods and recycled tyre rubber woven into straps and shoes.

Nia Friis and Eesha Freemantle from Tauranga Intermediate School impressed the judges with their outfits, coming in first and second in the intermediate fashion category.

One of the most successful entrants on the night was Zoe Beck from Tauranga Girls' College who won the photography and short movie awards, as well as coming runner-up in the secondary wearable art category of Trash of Fash with her ‘Village People' entry.

The Sustainable Art Challenge 2017 attracted 91 entries, including 63 in the Trash to Fash category.

The Sustainable Art Challenge 2017 attracted 91 entries, including 63 in the Trash to Fash category.

Zoe Beck was a multiple award winner, including runner up with her ‘Village People' entry in the Trash to Fash category.

Nicholas Gibbard made his outfit from seed pods and recycled tyre rubber.

Nia Friis impressed the judges with this fashion statement featuring recycled lampshades and ties.

Eesha Freemantle pulled apart on old piano to come up with this number.