TerraCycle, in partnership with Colgate and ShopRite, has launched the fifth annual Recycled Playground Challenge, which aims to teach school students, teachers and communities about preserving healthy smiles and a healthy environment. In past challenges, there was only one winner, but this year, students can compete for one of two recycled playgrounds for their school.

Starting March 11, schools located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Maryland were eligible to compete for two new playgrounds made entirely 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 pounds 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 "Playground Credit" toward winning the grand prize playground. Schools can earn additional Playground Credits by encouraging their community to vote online.

 “We are excited to announce the 2018 Recycled Playground Challenge in partnership with ShopRite and TerraCycle with its largest prize pool yet,” said Juan Pablo Zamorano, president of North America at 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.”

The schools with the most Playground Credits will be named the winners by July 30, 2018, and the playgrounds will be installed this fall. The second runner-up school and 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 its 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 help the environment,” said Christine Magyarits, community relations manager at ShopRite, in a statement. "For the fifth year in a row, we are excited to have this opportunity to show ShopRite’s dedication to the surrounding communities."

All participants in the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program are making a difference for the environment and their community. The program is an ongoing activity open to any individual, family, school or community group. 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,” said Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, in a statement. “The growth of the Recycled Playground Challenge to include new prizing further promotes the program and creates awareness, allowing us to reach even more people and make a greater difference in the environment.”