IXONIA — Ixonia Elementary School of Ixonia was named an honorary mention in this year’s “Recycled Playground Challenge,” courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive (“Colgate”), Meijer and TerraCycle.

TerraCycle announces the third annual Recycled Playground Challenge, a contest with partners Colgate-Palmolive (“Colgate”) and Meijer, that encourages healthy habits among school children and their communities, and awards a recycled playground to a winning school. Running April 23-June 30, schools located throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin can join TerraCycle’s Oral Care Recycling Program, a free, national program run by Colgate and TerraCycle, and compete to win a new playground made completely of recycled material. Schools participating in the contest earn one ‘Playground Credit’ for 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 within the timeframe. Additional Playground Credits are earned through online voting at www.meijer.com/colgate. Legacy Christian School of Grand Rapids was the winner of the 2016Recycled Playground Challenge after earning a total of 102,098 Playground Credits. The school that earns the most Playground Credits by June 30 will be announced as the winner of the grand prize playground in July 2017 before the playground installation in fall 2017. The first and second runner-up schools, as well as six honorable mention participants, will be awarded various prizes and Meijer gift cards. In addition to donating gift certificates for the runner-up schools, Meijer is also encouraging community participation in the contest with displays throughout its stores. “TerraCycle is thrilled that Colgate and Meijer have decided to bring back the Recycled Playground Challenge for 2017,” said TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky. “It’s a chance for young students to gain valuable knowledge about sustainability and get the opportunity to make a difference within their school and community.” For instructions on how to participate, please visit www.meijer.com/colgate or your local Meijer retailer.

Frank H. Hammond Elementary School of Munster has been named an honorable mention in this year’s “Recycled Playground Challenge,” courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive (“Colgate”), Meijer and TerraCycle. Frank H. Hammond Elementary School earned a total of 2,183 Playground Credits by recycling waste and via online voting to place in the contest. The honorable mention prize winner will receive a $150 Meijer gift card, 500 Colgate kids toothbrushes, 500 Colgate kids toothpaste tubes and a Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures van visit. The Recycled Playground Challenge launched in April in schools throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Wisconsin that participate in the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Program, a free, national program operated by Colgate and TerraCycle. During the contest window, participating schools earned one Playground Credit for each unit of oral care waste – such as toothbrushes, floss containers and toothpaste tubes – sent to TerraCycle for recycling. Schools earned additional Playground Credits by encouraging their community, parents and teachers to vote online.

River View School is in the running to win a new playground. The middle school is part of a contest sponsored by Meijer, Colgate and recycling company, TerraCycle. The last day to vote is Friday. Cast your vote at www.meijer.com/colgate.

State Road Elementary School in Fenton is on the leaderboard to win a playground made from recycled oral care waste through the Recycled Playground Challenge, courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive, Meijer and TerraCycle.

The middle school is part of a contest sponsored by Meijer, Colgate and recycling company, TerraCycle. The last day to vote is Friday. Cast your vote at www.meijer.com/colgate.

Zion-Concord Lutheran School in Bensenville is competing to win a playground made from recycled oral care waste through the Recycled Playground Challenge, courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive, Meijer and TerraCycle.

The school was a winner in a contest sponsored by Terracycle, Colgate and Meijer. To enter the contest, a school needed to participate in the Terracycle recycling program. Then, supporters of the organization could vote online once per day. Dutton Christian supporters registered the most votes.

Hively Avenue Preschool is trying to win a playground made from recycled oral care waste through the second annual Recycled Playground Challenge, sponsored by TerraCycle, Colgate and Meijer. The school will earn on ‘Playground Credit’ for each shipment of empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, and floss containers sent to TerraCycle by the students and teachers, and one credit for every online vote cast for the school at www.meijer.com/colgate by June 18, 2016.

St. Edwards Montessori School is trying to win a playground made from recycled oral care waste through the second annual Recycled Playground Challenge, sponsored by TerraCycle, Colgate and Meijer. The school will earn on ‘Playground Credit’ for each shipment of empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, and floss containers sent to TerraCycle by the students and teachers, and one credit for every online vote cast for the school at www.meijer.com/colgate by June 18, 2016.