Since you need some new shoes anyway, why not gather up those old, smelly flip flops and turn them into something good–like a playground. That's right. The Old Navy store at Arbor Place Mall is accepting your old flip flops and then recycling them into playgrounds which will be donated to communities throughout the country. They're also accepting flip flops from your parents, children and other relatives as well, so don't forget to go through their closets too. The drive for old shoes started on April 22 and will continue until May 21. There is a brightly colored box in the front of the store to collect the shoes.

Solo party cups can have a second life under a new national recycling initiative launched by Solo Cup Company. The company announced it is joining forces with TerraCycle to create the Solo Cup Brigade - individuals, schools and non-profits that will collect used Solo Squared plastic cups and return them to TerraCycle for recycling. The recycled material will be used to make other items such as equipment for playgrounds, park benches and outdoor furniture. For every Solo Squared cup received, 2 cents will be donated to Keep America Beautiful or the non-profit or school of the collecting Brigade member's choice.

Gardeners searching for the perfect plants at the Kearny Walmart garden center are in for a surprise as Walmart offers its usual annuals with a twist. This month, Walmart has partnered with Garden State Growers and TerraCycle to offer its plants in upcycled margarine tubs in Walmart stores. The upcycled pots will come from used tubs of Country Crock, I Can't Believe It's Not Butter, Promise and Brummel & Brown. The tubs are a more eco-friendly option as they will be diverted from landfills, eliminate the need to use virgin plastic and can be returned to TerraCycle to be used again. TerraCycle collects non-recyclable or hard-to-recycle waste and uses it to create affordable, eco-friendly products, offering an end-of-life solution.

ALL OVER LA—Since the sun looks like it's going to stick around for a while, might it be time for a new pair of flipflops? Yes, it is. Don't hang on to your grody old pair: take them to an LA-area Old Navy, who, in conjunction with TerraCycle, will recycle them by turning them into children's playgrounds. And while you're there, stock up, since flipflops are two pairs for $5. Program goes through May 21. [Racked Inbox]

With summer approaching, coastal residents and visitors alike are dusting off their flip-flops to see if they are fit for another tour of duty. While some will be deemed worthy of another whirl on the Lincoln City sands, others face one final journey to the trash can. But now, one local retailer is offering these tired specimens a chance for a whole new life — to support the pitter patter of tiny feet as part of a children’s playground. Old Navy has partnered with New Jersey-based recycling firm TerraCycle to collect old flip-flops and transform them into four playground surfaces across the country. Stores across the country, including the Lincoln City branch at the Tanger Outlet Center, started collecting on Earth Day, April 22, and will continue to accept donations through May 21. Kerry Emmons, Old Navy district manager for Oregon, said the company is hoping for a strong response.

Old Navy shoppers can participate in the Flip Flop Replay by depositing their used flip flops in colorful collection bins found inside any Old Navy store, including the St. Louis Park location. The St. Louis Park Old Navy store is located at Knollwood Mall, 8332 Hwy. 7. The collection runs through May 21. TerraCycle, based in Trenton, N.J., will then recycle the flip-flops into material used on playgrounds, which will be donated to communities across the country.

Just because Earth Day is over recycling still should be on our minds. Old Navy locations in the Eau Claire area have teamed up with TerraCycle to run Earth Month collections. Now through Saturday, May 21, Old Navy shoppers can deposit their used flip flops in colorful collection bind inside any Old Navy store. TerraCycle will recycle the flip flops into playgrounds that will be donated to communities around the country. It seems fitting that flip flops, shoes that scream summertime fun, will become playground equipment for children to enjoy. TerraCycle is an international upcycling and recycling company that encourages consumers to rethink waste and have a positive impact on the environment. By bringing in these hard-to-recycle products, consumers help keep waste out of their community landfills.

In an effort to further reduce waste, TerraCycle, Inc. and Old Navy are partnering in a month-long drive to collect used flip flops and recycle them into four public playgrounds around the country. The community is encouraged to participate by stopping by an Old Navy store to deposit used flip flops in designated collection bins. This is the first time a nationwide retailer has initiated a large-scale effort to collect and recycle flip flops. All Old Navy stores across the U.S. are participating from April 22, 2011 through May 21, 2011. This is a great opportunity to clean out tattered and ugly flip flops and repurpose them. You'll be keeping plastic and rubber out of the landfills and making a good excuse to go and buy some new ones

Old Navy has partnered with TerraCycle to collect flip flops and transform them into playgrounds.

Flip-flops, everyone owns a pair.  I love them because there are easy to clean with a rag and a little water. But when they are past their prime and it's time to say good bye what do you do with them? Old Navy has teamed up with Terracycle to recycle your old flops. From now until May 21st you can drop off  your old flip-flops to any Old navy location to be recycled. Terracycle will use the broken, worn out flip-flips to build play court surfaces for kids.