Where other people see trash, Tom Szaky sees raw materials. An empty yogurt cup is a plant pot for a nursery. A juice pouch is fabric for a backpack. Disposable plastic cups? Park benches, naturally.

BANGOR, Maine — Old Navy and TerraCycle are partnering in “The Flip-flop Replay” recycle program to build community playgrounds through May 21 at Old Navy, 480 Stillwater Ave. in Bangor. The community is encouraged to participate by stopping by an Old Navy store to deposit old flip-flops in designated bins to be reused to help build playgrounds around the country. For more information, call 990-2073.

Bring your worn out, broken, or just plain painful flip-flops to this or any store any time until May 21. An international recycling company is collecting used flip-flops at all Old Navy clothing stores through May 21. The flip-flops will come out on the other end as ground covering for public playgrounds—those rubber-like surfaces that save teeth, knees and arms when children take a fall.

  While they’re the favorite footwear choice for many, flip flops are not known for their lasting power. I’ve worn down many a pair to thin strips of rubber I could feel every pebble through and then—if reluctantly—threw them away, knowing of no more earth-friendly way to put them to use when they were no longer wearable.  That changed this spring. If your flips have gone a little floppy, stop before you feed them to the trash bin. Your tattered, dirty old flip flops could provide endless entertainment for American youngsters. No, really.  Old Navy has partnered with New Jersey-based national innovative recycling organization TerraCycle to turn used flip flops into playground equipment, with a program dubbed Flip Flop Replay. If the name TerraCycle sounds strangely familiar, the organization was coincidentally referenced in the last Eco-Friendly article on Highlands Elementary’s green efforts. A nationwide effort, the program goes like this: used flip flops are collected in large boxes at Old Navy stores across the continental U.S.; the boxes are then mailed to TerraCycle; TerraCycle turns the flip flops into playgrounds, like eco-magic. When finished, the playgrounds will be donated to schools or communities throughout the country who participate in TerraCycle programs.

Clearing out old flip-flops to make room for new ones this summer? Don't throw them out. Old Navy wants them. Until May 21, all Old Navy stores around the country — including in Omaha, Papillion, Lincoln, Kearney, Neb., and Sioux City, Iowa — are collecting used flip-flops in any condition. They will be given to TerraCycle and turned into playground equipment to establish four public playgrounds nationwide. The Flip Flop Replay effort kicked off on Earth Day.

Through May 21, Old Navy shoppers can deposit used flip flops in collection bins inside any Old Navy store. TerraCycle will recycle the flip flops into playgrounds. For more information, log on to www.terracycle.net.

Clearing out old flip-flops to make room for new ones this summer? Don't throw them out. Old Navy wants them. Until May 21, all Old Navy stores around the country — including in Omaha, Papillion, Lincoln, Kearney, Neb., and Sioux City, Iowa — are collecting used flip-flops in any condition. They will be given to TerraCycle and turned into playground equipment to establish four public playgrounds nationwide. The Flip Flop Replay effort kicked off on Earth Day.

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.

11-05-10-- The Gambit