The Recycled Playground Challenge Returns

TerraCycle announced the start of the sixth annual Recycled Playground Challenge, in partnership with Colgate and ShopRite, to teach school students, teachers and communities about preserving healthy smiles and a healthy environment.

Starting March 10, schools throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Maryland that are members of the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program are encouraged to register for the 2019 challenge. To participate, schools collect and recycle through TerraCycle used oral care waste and packaging, such as empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes and floss containers. The schools that collect the most waste win one of two playgrounds that are made from the recycled materials.

“We are excited to announce the 2019 Recycled Playground Challenge in partnership with ShopRite and TerraCycle,” said Juan Pablo Zamorano, president, North America for Colgate-Palmolive, in a statement. “This event and the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program are part of our commitment to ensuring the well-being of our customers and the preservation of our environment.”

Through June 30, each unit (unit defined as 0.02 pounds of used, post-consumer oral care products and packaging) of oral care waste that is sent to TerraCycle for recycling earns the participating schools one “Playground Credit” toward winning the grand prize playground made from recycled oral care waste that has been cleaned, processed and remolded. The schools with the most Playground Credits will be named the winners by July and the playgrounds will be installed in the fall. The second runner-up school and six honorable mention participants will be awarded various prizes and ShopRite gift cards. 

“ShopRite is excited to once again bring this great program to schools in the communities where our ShopRite stores operate. The Recycled Playground Challenge motivates students to recycle and teaches them innovative ways to help the environment,” said Christine Magyarits, ShopRite community relations manager, in a statement. "For the sixth year in a row, we are excited to have this opportunity to show ShopRite’s dedication to the surrounding communities."

Separate from the Recycled Playground Challenge, TerraCycle also offers the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program. This ongoing activity is open to any individual, family, school or community group interested in protecting the environment. For each piece of waste sent to TerraCycle using a pre-paid shipping label, participants can earn money toward the school or charity of their choice.

“Through the recycling program, Colgate enables consumers to divert waste from landfills, engage their communities and be rewarded for their effort,” said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle founder and CEO, in a statement.  “With the Recycled Playground Challenge moving into its sixth year, we look forward to building on the success of previous years and continue to inspire future generations to preserve the environment.”