The exhibition was opened at the Gunnedah Bicentennial Creative Arts Gallery on Friday, with winners announced on the same afternoon.

53 artworks were submitted into the competition, 16 more than last year's event, which Gunnedah Shire Council's cultural precinct team leader Lauren Mackley said was great to see.

"We've also seen more people really embrace the theme of 'Packaging Re-packaged'", Ms Mackley said.

"[The exhibition has] sparked a lot of conversations about single-use plastic and some strategies you can use at home and at work to reduce waste."

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Some of these ideas were bringing your own cups to cafes in town, doing plastic-free grocery shopping, and avoiding the use of plastic plates, cutlery, and straws.

The competition was supported by Northern Inland Regional Waste, and the organisation's project officer Sam Swain presented the winners with their awards.

Mr Swain said he had judged similar exhibitions in other regions in the past, but the art in Gunnedah was of a particularly high quality.

"I encourage people to go in and have a look, there's some great quality artworks there and there's some interesting ways of rethinking waste," he said.

"I was certainly very impressed when I went on Friday to see them."

Voting for the people's choice award is still open, and locals are encouraged to visit the gallery and vote for their favourite before the exhibition closes on November 10.

Winners in the Waste into Art 2019 competition are listed below.

Early Childhood/Preschools

1st Prize- 'Dinosaur' by Mary Rankin Childcare Centre

2nd Prize- 'Dreaming of Fishing' by Nate Rawsthorne

Primary Schools

1st Prize- 'School of Art' by PCYC Term 3 Art Class

2nd Prize- 'Rhinocesaurus' by the Tamworth Home Schoolers

Secondary Schools

1st Prize- 'Thinking Outside the Door' by Thomas Snape

2nd Prize- 'Wandering Coral' by Jemma Ortiger

Inspired us

'Town Gown' by Raeleen Wise

Best Suits The Theme "Packaging Repackaged"

'Plastic Future' by Warren Barwick

Functional Art

'Chocolate Box Ukulele' by Elizabeth Emmerson

Highly Commended

'Resin and Glass Art' by Elizabeth Emmerson

'Portable storage bench seat' by Neville Turner