The tradition of building a holiday gingerbread house has been updated for the 21st century.

As part of its December Green Your Holiday Program, the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center will hold its third annual Sustainable Gingerbread House Competition and Exhibit.

Designers will create environmentally friendly houses out of edible materials that highlight sustainability and green building design.

“This is a great opportunity for families, businesses, civic groups, students, and/or individuals to get into the holiday spirit and show off their gingerbread building talents and green building ingenuity,” said Jason West, director of programming and development.

At least three sustainable building elements must be included in the design of the gingerbread house, such as solar panels, rain barrels, green roof, windmills, etc.

Participants may use a traditional gingerbread recipe, a recipe for dog biscuits, bird seed cakes or any other edible product. The structure can also include birdseed, pine cones, leaves, twigs or anything from nature.

Categories include pre-K through second grade, grades 3 through 6, teens, adults and professionals for groups and individuals and a family group division.

The winning entry will receive a $75 gift card from the Foundation.

To register an entry, email brian.sterner@gwinnettcounty.com. Each participant must complete an entry form, available at www.gwinnettEHC.org or in person at the GEHC. Entry forms should arrive with each gingerbread house.

Contestants are asked to deliver gingerbread houses to the center between 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 24, 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Nov. 27 or 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 29. Judging will take place the week of Dec. 3. Awards will be presented during the GEHC’s Green Your Holiday Program at 11 a.m. Dec. 15. Entries will be available for viewing at the GEHC through Dec. 20.

For more information, visit www.gwinnettEHC.org.