TerraCycle launched the fourth annual Recycled Playground Challenge with Colgate and ShopRite to teach school students, teachers and communities about preserving healthy smiles and a healthy environment as they compete to win a recycled playground for their school.

Starting March 12, schools located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Maryland were eligible to compete for a new playground made completely of recycled material by joining TerraCycle’s Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program, a free, national program hosted by Colgate and TerraCycle.

Through June 30, each unit ("unit" defined as 0.02 lbs of used, post-consumer oral care products and packaging) of oral care waste, such as empty toothpaste tubes and floss containers, sent to TerraCycle for recycling earns participating schools one (1) ‘Playground Credit’ towards winning the grand prize playground. Schools can earn additional Playground Credits by encouraging their community to vote online.

“We are pleased to announce the continuation of our Recycled Playground Challenge in partnership with ShopRite and TerraCycle,” Juan Pablo Zamorano, president, North America, Colgate-Palmolive, said in a statement. “By offering the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program and Recycled Playground Challenge, we are able to remain committed to the well-being of our customers and the preservation of our environment.”

The school with the most Playground Credits will be named the winner by July 30, 2017, and the playground will be installed this fall. The first and second runner-up schools, as well as six honorable mention participants, will be awarded various prizes and ShopRite gift cards.

ShopRite is also encouraging community participation in the contest with contest displays throughout its stores and information about the contest on ShopRite’s Facebook page.

“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 preserve the environment,” Christine Magyarits, ShopRite community relations manager, said in a statement. "For the fourth year in a row, we are excited to have this opportunity to show ShopRite’s dedication to the surrounding communities."

For each piece of waste sent in using a pre-paid shipping label, participants can earn money toward donations to the school or charity of their choice.

“With the recycling program, Colgate enables their consumers to divert waste from landfills, engage their communities and be rewarded for their effort,” TerraCycle Founder and CEO Tom Szaky said in a statement. “The Recycled Playground Challenge promotes the program and creates awareness, allowing us to reach more people and make a greater difference in the environment.”