TerraCycle, based in New Jersey, collects cigarette butts to make plastic lumber for pallets, benches, and whatever else requires lumber. The fibers could also be used for fabric.

Students were informed back in March about a contest by recycling company Terracycle. The company partnered with Colgate and ShopRite to award students the new playground. FES competed with over 100 schools from six states.

The competition was sponsored by Shop Rite and Colgate, and the playground comes from TerraCycle, a company that makes playgrounds from recycled material. “We’re able to do that because we collect so many toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes,” TerraCycle’s Director of Client Service told the crowd at the ribbon cutting. “That’s all thanks to you guys at Flanders Elementary School and to schools all across the country.”

Zeeland Christian School recently was named second runner-up in this year’s Recycled Playground Challenge courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive, Meijer and TerraCycle.

The school earned credits through recycling waste and online votes to win the contest. The school’s reward includes 500 Colgate kids’ toothbrushes, 500 kids’ toothpaste tubes, a visit from the Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures van and a Meijer gift card for $500.

For the past five to six years, the owner of Pharcraft, an arts and crafts supply store in Florence, has been collecting various plastics to send to TerraCycle. The New Jersey-based waste management company gives Mr. Hoch points for his donations, which he can redeem for cash. He usually receives a couple hundred dollars a year for his donations, which he then allocates to the R.U.G. Activity Center that he and his wife started in Florence.

An opportunity for recycling unique commodities, the event will offer collection of alkaline batteries, eyeglasses, gently worn clothing and flip flops! Attendees can support their village by bringing old toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes and floss containers for the new Village Challenge, the Terracycle Oral Care Brigade®!

TERRACYCLE TENT DOPP KIT

Even if the closest you’ve ever come to camping under the stars was standing in line overnight for concert tickets, you might just go wild over this upcycled tent Dopp kit. Made from reclaimed fabric discarded in the manufacture of tents, it shares characteristics with its wilder peers – it’s durable, lightweight, and water and stain resistant. Even the clips and zippers are wilderness ready.

State Road Elementary School in Fenton earned nearly $100 just by recycling applesauce pouches. Students are making a difference by recycling their lunchtime waste with TerraCycle. Through participation in the recycling program, schools can turn their empty food packaging into cash.

As you look around online, you might notice a lot of references to TerraCycle’s Glue Crew program. It was sponsored by Elmer’s Glue and TerraCycle but has been suspended indefinitely. However, the recycling giant has new options for recycling glue containers and tape dispensers. You can place all of your waste in a Zero Waste Box, which you buy from the company and mail back when it is full.