Oral care leader Colgate and supermarket giant ShopRite have partnered with environmental company TerraCycle for the Recycled Playground Challenge, a contest that will result in a school winning a playground on its campus. From now through June 30, schools in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut, and Maryland can compete to win a brand-new playground by recycling toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers through the Oral Care Brigade program. The initiative has been launched to help encourage healthy smiles and environments among school children and consumers, according to a spokesman. The program is open to anyone and participation is free. Schools will earn one “Playground Credit” for each shipment of recyclables sent to TerraCycle during the contest period. Schools can earn additional credits by encouraging parents and teachers to vote online by logging on to terracycle.com/colgateshopriteplayground. In addition to donating gift certificates for the runner-up schools, ShopRite is also encouraging community participation in the contest with displays throughout its stores. A display can be found in the Bayonne ShopRite, 583 Ave. C. The winning school with the most playground credits will be announced by July 18 and the playground will be installed during the 2014-2015 school year. The playground will be made using recycled oral care products collected through the program. Read more: Hudson Reporter - BAYONNE BRIEFS

To get the certification, the school had to attain a certain score based on five criteria: culture and community, school sustainability, healthy schools, curriculum integration and innovation. Principal Elaine Justice said receiving the recognition is a testament to a school-wide effort. “This is not one person’s vision. This is the vision of multiple teachers and the students, parents and everyone working together,” she said. Justice said the school’s path toward “green” status began a number of years ago with the start of a recycling program by school counselor Bryan Smith, who retired last year. Recycling continued to grow; and teacher Shannon Byrd has watched students become more and more involved as the school has participated in a program with TerraCycle, a company that promotes environmental awareness and works with schools and others to eliminate waste. It collects packaging and materials that are difficult to recycle and repurposes the waste into products such as school supplies, flower pots and garden supplies and unique gifts. The students love seeing the juice pouch turned into a pencil pouch or using a notebook binder made from the materials they collected. “My favorite part of this is the student involvement,” she said. “They want the pencil pack or that notebook.”

We have a zero waste goal here and while we are not able to able to do it perfectly, we really make an effort. We use TerraCycle (read more about that HERE), we compost, we burn and compost the ashes, we recycle beverage containers, we reuse and refuse single use packaging and are conscious of every single piece of waste that comes onto the property. We do a lot but it always feels like there is more we could do. When it comes to be frugal and green, I try to live like my grandparents. If I can picture my awesome Great Depression Era grandparents doing it, then likely it is both green and frugal, which is cool in my book. Hence, our latest Depression Green fascination: the rag rug.

This dynamic US-based company is active on four continents (including 11 EU countries), collecting difficult-to-recycle packaging, such as drink pouches, crisp bags, pens, toothbrushes, and turning it into new products including bags, benches, plant pots and watering cans. It works with consumer brands and operates local and national ‘brigades’, which collect items for recycling. Globally, TerraCycle has re-purposed more than 2.6 billion items of packaging. It is working to come up with solutions for other difficult-to-recycle but widely discarded waste streams such as disposable nappies and chewing gum.

Companies partner with TerraCycle to donate playground made of recycled oral care waste TRENTON — TerraCycle® announced its Recycled Playground Challenge - a new initiative in partnership with Colgate, the global oral care leader, and ShopRite, which has more than 250 stores in the northeast - to help encourage healthy smiles and environments among school children and consumers. Now through June 30, schools located throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Connecticut and Maryland are eligible to compete for a new playground made completely of recycled material by joining TerraCycle’s Oral Care Brigade® program. ShopRite on Marshall Hill Road has a special display set up for the collection. 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. Schools can earn additional playground credits by encouraging parents and teachers to vote online by logging onto www.terracycle.com/colgateshopriteplayground. “Colgate is committed to contributing to our communities and respecting the environment,” said Justin Skala, president, North America and Global Sustainability, Colgate-Palmolive. “Programs like the Colgate® Oral Care Brigade™ and Recycled Playground Challenge offer us an innovative way to reinforce these commitments and for consumers to positively impact the environment by repurposing their Colgate® oral care products.” The winning school with the most playground credits will be announced by July 18, 2014 and the playground will be installed during the 2014/2015 back-to-school season. The first runner-up school will win 500 upcycled tote bags, 500 upcycled pencil cases, 500 upcycled pens and a $750 ShopRite gift certificate. The second and third runner-up schools will win 250 upcycled tote bags, 250 upcycled pens and a $500 and $250 gift certificate, respectively. Finally, five honorable mention participants will win 250 upcycled pens and $150 ShopRite gift cards. In addition to donating gift certificates for the runner-up schools, ShopRite is also encouraging community participation in the contest with displays throughout its stores. “ShopRite has a long history of caring for the communities it serves,” said Karen Meleta, Vice President of Consumer and Corporate Communications for ShopRite. “This program is a fun way to engage our customers in this commitment and to bring to light the importance of recycling and preserving our resources for generations to come.” All participants in the Colgate® Oral Care Brigade™ program are making a difference for the environment and their community. The Brigade initiative 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 earn money toward donations to the school or charity of their choice. “At TerraCycle, collecting the oral care waste is only half of the story,” explained Tom Szaky, TerraCycle founder and CEO. “The real magic happens when our partners choose to reuse the waste in a way that has a lasting benefit a community, like Colgate and ShopRite have done with these playgrounds.” TerraCycle, Inc. is an international upcycling and recycling company that takes difficult-to recycle-packaging and turns it into affordable, innovative products. Founded in 2001, TerraCycle is the world’s leader in the collection and reuse of non-recyclable post-consumer waste, working with more than 40 major brands globally to collect used packaging and products that would otherwise be destined for landfills. TerraCycle repurposes that waste into new, innovative materials and products that are available online and through major retailers. The waste is collected through TerraCycle’s Brigade programs, which are free fundraisers that pay for every piece of waste collected and returned. For information on how to join a TerraCycle Brigade and on purchasing TerraCycle products please visit www.terracycle.com. For instructions on how to participate in the Recycled Playground Challenge, visit www.terracycle.com/colgateshopriteplayground or your local ShopRite retailer. To learn more about the Colgate® Oral Care Brigade™ program and to sign up, visit www.terracycle.com/colgate.

Terracycle Stain & Odor Remover for Hardfloors- Non toxic, biodegradable solution that naturally lift and remove stubborn pet stains & odors. It will get rid of the stains & odors caused by vomit, feces, urine, blood and dirt without any harsh chemicals. Safe on carpets, upholstery, bedding, clothes or any other water safe surface.  Terracycle upcycle and recycle non recycable waste which includes toothbrushes, chip bags, drink pouches and so much more. The products keeps waste out of landfills while contributing to a cleaner environment. You can find their products at major retailers also Walmart, Target and from their site. When i came across this wonderful site i was amazed on what they do for a better cleaner environment. The company have many recycled products of garden, gifts, pets, home, office and so much more. I was so excited to review stain & odor remover for hardfloors. The stain & odor remover doesn't have any harsh chemical scent its has a very lightly scent that works perfectly on my hard floors and carpet it really takes out my pets vomit stains quickly. Instantly my carpet and hard floors looks great, and what i absolutely love about it that this stain & odor remover doesn't leave any marks on my floors. This is a really good product the price is $8.99 at http://www.terracycle.com/ you can also connect on  Facebook, Twitter and Youtube

The Los Alamos Co-op Market’s TerraCycle program raised $405 for local nonprofits over the past year, which benefited Pajarito Environmental Education Center and the Friends of the Shelter. PEEC received $135, while FOS received $270. Each year the Co-op invites customers, staff and volunteers to vote for recipients of the TerraCycle funds. TerraCycle, a company seeking to eliminate the idea of waste, turns items previously considered trash into desirable products including park benches and hand bags. The Co-op’s TerraCycle program accepts items such as chip bags, cereal bags or cereal box liners and baby food pouches. Glass items can also be recycled separately at the Co-op. For more information on the Co-op or the TerraCycle program, call 695-1579 or visit losalamos.coop.

Have you noticed people bending down at crosswalks and in parking lots to pick up throwaways and then place them in plastic bags? They are not throwing that aluminum tab or can away! And that was actually a cigarette butt you saw being rescued! Perhaps you have spotted the 4-foot-tall bags of cheese packaging hefted into Coyote Howling, or the arm loads of trash bags and boxes of used items being carried into the gift shop. Or have you wondered why the shop is a hive of activity with boxes being carried to and fro every Tuesday morning? You might even be one of the lucky members of the community who has discovered the trash bins are not as full as they once were in your neighborhood! Confused? Don't be! Call a TerraCycler, or visit the TerraCycle Depot: Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause—especially on Tuesday mornings! Or, visit one of the following churches, organizations, or businesses and ask them how they have gotten involved with taking trash back from the dumpsters and landfills to be re-purposed with zero waste. Christ Community Fellowship, Capitan Church of the Nazarene, Angus Foot of the Cross Christian Ministries, Ruidoso Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, Ruidoso Trinity Southern Baptist Church, Capitan Chamber of Commerce Greeters of Ruidoso Valley; Chef Shawn's Eatery; Compass Bank Sudderth Employees; Gabe Gilmore Construction Company; Hot Hair by Crystal Rose; Fort Bliss IDES, East Fort Bliss, Texas (Angela S., coordinate.); L&L Cards, El Paso, Texas; McGee Construction Company; Nails by Sonia, Head 2 Toe Salon; Optimist Club of Ruidoso; Pizza Hut; Postal Annex; Ruidoso Animal Clinic; Schlotzsky's; Sweet Charity; and Taco Bell. And, as with all TerraCycle re-used, recycled and up-cycled items, rebates are paid directly to the designated not-for-profit: Feed My Starving Children. Other ways to help provide FMSC meals for children are to (1) participate in our on-line auctions,www.32auctions.com/FMSC_NM4 through May 31; (2) purchase with purpose at Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause where a percentage of every purchase goes to FMSC every day of the year; and/or (3) join our TerraCycling campaign. Posters and details for TerraCycle Brigades can be printed fromwww.CoyoteHowlingShopForaCause.com. Tonya Huber, PhD, is founder and owner of Coyote Howling Shop for a Cause. Contact her atCoyoteHowlingNM@gmail.com, (575) 808-8320.

(Salem, OR) — First Lady Cylvia Hayes learned about the Oregon Department of Corrections’ sustainable practices during a tour yesterday of its Salem facility, which recycles items from the state’s 14 prisons. "Our precious resources in Oregon should be preserved for future generations," First Lady Cylvia Hayes said. "The Department of Corrections is doing its part by accepting the challenge to change its practices. With inmates' help, our prisons recycle more, save energy and reuse items to be more sustainable and conscientious of our environment." The Department of Corrections launched its comprehensive recycling efforts in January 2013. Adults in custody at each institution sort through trash to reduce the amount each prison sends to landfills. Recycled items include cardboard, ballistic vests, batteries, five-gallon plastic buckets, plastics and clear shrink wrap film, fabric/textiles, shoes, foam, wood, paper, lead, metals, fluorescent bulbs and ballasts, E-waste and chip bags. Over the past 15 months, the recycling program has generated cost savings and waste reduction. Highlights include: • As of March 2014, more than 132,000 snack bags have been collected and processed through TerraCycle, Inc., a recycling company. The Department of Corrections gets cash credit for the recycled items that it donates to local charities. The Department of Corrections was recently recognized for its sustainability efforts. In March, the department was named Recycler of the Year at the 2014 Mid-Valley Green Awards Ceremony in Salem. The award honors sustainable and green-minded companies, organizations and people.

Fire Starters Gasoline is dangerous. Twigs can get damp. Dryer lint isn’t exactly what we want to inhale. Let’s focus on a fire starter that’s a little more reliable (and one that comes with less danger of losing your eyebrows). Soy candle wax and used coffee grounds make a foolproof igniter you can use when you have less-than-perfect campfire conditions. It smells great, too. Here’s how: Collect used coffee grounds and spread them out on a cookie sheet. Set in the sun or bake in the oven at 250 degrees; the goal is to get as much moisture out as possible. Dry the coffee filters as well. Scoop dry grounds into an empty egg carton, then tear the filters into small pieces, twist, and place them on the grounds (stick matches in as well if you have them). Melt some wax and pour evenly on each egg cup. Let cool and cut off one individual egg-cup at a time. All you have to do is light the match or filter and watch it burn; place it under a small teepee of twigs and logs to get your campfire going. The buy-it alternative: Look for an eco-friendly fire starter that won’t emit strange odors. Bonus points if they’re packed in a repurposed container, like the used soda bottles from TerraCycle. TerraCycle eco-friendly fire starters, MSRP $5.99, dwellsmart.com