The council is calling for students, artists and collectives to rethink the way they see waste and use it to create unique art to feature in the Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery later this year.

This year's theme is Packaging Repackaged, with an emphasis on recycling every day disposable items such as plastic wrapping, cardboard boxes, food wrappers, Styrofoam and bubble wrap.

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Artists and community groups can interpret the theme in any number of ways, from functional pieces to 2D creations.

Ms Mackley said the competition was a fun way to get creative and to spread the reduce, re-use and recycle waste message.

"There are so many different forms of packaging and other waste materials that can be used in so many different ways," she said.

"We would love people to get really imaginative and create a piece of art to show the shire - and there is a prize of $150 for each category.

"We have had some wonderful artworks in the past [so] I'm looking forward to seeing what our students and artists come up with in 2019."

The competition is run by the council and Northern Inland Regional Waste to promote the message to reduce, re-use or recycle waste.

Entry forms are available from the council's main administration office in Elgin Street, Gunnedah Shire Library and at The Civic counter. Entries may be submitted by a group or an individual.

Submission forms and ready-to-hang artworks will need to be dropped off at the arts gallery by 5pm on Friday, October 4.

The exhibition will open at 1pm on Friday, October 11 and continue until Sunday, November 10.

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