Kids recycle waste
Plastic bags are on their way out but there are many more plastics cluttering up our landfills and oceans.
Children at Waikanae Kindergarten are joining the fight against plastic by diverting ‘non-recyclable’ oral care waste such as toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes and empty floss containers from landfill on behalf of the community.
This is part of a recycling programme operated by Colgate and recycling pioneers, TerraCycle who aim to raise awareness about sustainability and inspire locals to help reduce landfill.
Once the toothbrushes, empty toothpaste tubes and empty floss containers are collected, Waikanae Kindergarten packs and sends them to TerraCycle, who shreds, cleans and melts them down into raw materials to create garden beds, park benches and playgrounds.
Additionally, for each unit of oral care waste sent to TerraCycle, Waikanae Kindergarten earns $0.02 as a donation.
So far the kindergarten has diverted 9000 toothbrushes from landfill.
Waikanae Kindergarten head teacher Scott Marris said the Oral Care Recycling Programme has helped the children learn about the importance of recycling and sustainability.
“Waikanae Kindergarten joined the programme to keep more waste out of landfill and so far the community has been very keen to help us recycle oral care waste. It’s an extra bonus that we earn donations for our recycling work.”
TerraCycle Australia & New Zealand general manager Jean Bailliard said, “We’re really inspired by the commitment of New Zealand schools to recycling, and by their hard work in raising awareness about waste and sustainability.”
Locals who wish to recycle their oral care waste, and boost the kindergarten’s donations, can take it to Waikanae Kindergarten, or visit www.terracycle.co.nz/oral-carebrigade for more information.