But for the substitute teacher behind Zion-Concord Lutheran School's entry in the TerraCycle Recycled Playground Challenge, it's not so much about a new outdoor play space -- although the school's swings were knocked out in a maintenance accident and some of the playground equipment is roughly 25 years old.

Canterbury is competing in the "Recycled Playground Challenge," sponsored by Colgate, Meijer and TerraCycle. "We're voting every day. We're, right now, in 17th place and there are currently 52 places," said Bauer.

Beechview PTA is competing to win a playground made from recycled oral care waste through the Recycled Playground Challenge, courtesy of Colgate-Palmolive, Meijer and TerraCycle. Beechview PTA will earn one ‘Playground Credit’ for each unit of oral care waste, such as empty toothpaste tubes and floss containers, sent to TerraCycle for recycling.

Jefferson East Elementary 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 will earn one credit for each empty toothpaste tube or floss container sent to TerraCycle. An additional credit is earned for every online vote cast for the school at www.meijer.com/colgate by June 18.

Hively Avenue Preschool is competing to win a new playground through the national Colgate and Meijer Recycled Playground Challenge. The preschool is among the top 15 competitors in the program sponsored by the TerraCycle company in partnership with Colgate-Palmolive and Mejier in a contest to win a playground made completely of recycled materials. The competition aims to encourage healthy smiles and environments among school children and consumers, sponsors said.

TerraCycle announced its Recycled Playground Challenge, an initiative in partnership with Colgate-Palmolive (“Colgate”) and Meijer – to help encourage healthy smiles and environments among school children and consumers. Running through September 30, 2015, schools located throughout Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Wisconsin are eligible to compete for a new playground made completely of recycled material by joining TerraCycle’s Oral Care Brigade™ program. Through the Oral Care Brigade™, a free recycling program run by Colgate and TerraCycle, schools will earn one ‘Playground Credit’ for each shipment of empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrushes, and floss containers sent to TerraCycle.