Converting teeth-cleaning waste into gardens
Katikati Primary School students are diverting the community’s oral care waste from landfill for a chance to win one of two recycled community garden sets in a national competition run by Colgate and global recyclers TerraCycle.
Between 1 August and 16 November, the Colgate Community Garden Challenge invites preschools, primary and secondary schools nationwide to collect all brands of oral care waste and send it to TerraCycle, which gives the waste a second life by creating new products.
Two recycled community garden sets will be awarded to two schools, each including a garden bed, park bench and bin, plus a $300 gardening voucher to buy seeds and plants. Besides showing how recycled materials can be used as a sustainable alternative to virgin plastic, Colgate and TerraCycle hope the sets will promote gardening and healthy eating among schools.
Katikati Primary School teacher Liz Woods said the school joined the Garden Challenge hoping to add a recycled community garden set to their vegetable growing area.
“We’ve been working hard for the environment and have recently established a vegetable garden at school,” Mrs Woods said.
“We get help from the local Super Grans and would love to have a seat for them to rest on.”
The Katikati community can drop used oral care products at the school to be recycled, and vote for them every day online at www.terracycle.co.nz/ colgategardenvoting
“Colgate is thrilled to partner with TerraCycle to give kids the opportunity to win a recycled community garden set while reducing landfill,” Colgate vice president and general manager of South Pacific Julie Dillon said. “Well done, Katikati Primary School — keep up the great recycling work!
“We want to eliminate the idea of waste and a perfect place to start is with schools,” Jean Bailliard, General Manager of TerraCycle Australia, said. “We want to thank the kids at Katikati Primary School for their amazing recycling work, and wish them all the best in the competition.”
Schools can visit www.terracycle.co.nz/colgategarden to join the competition, access posters and resources and watch their competition ranking.