Old Navy Wants Your Used Flip-Flops to Build Playgrounds

Wednesday is Earth Day and in an effort to do its part in eliminating waste, Old Navy is partnering with TerraCycle, an international recycling company, to transform used flip-flops into playgrounds.

From April 22 through May 21, large, colorful bins will be placed inside Old Navy stores for people to deposit their used flip-flops. TerraCycle will recycle the flip-flops into playgrounds, according to a news release. A company spokesperson said that they have not yet decided where the playgrounds will be located but that they will be located in four different regions across the country. 

“Old Navy is proud to be a part of this one-of-a-kind program that gets our customers involved in an environmentally and socially aware program,” said Amy Curtis-McIntyre, senior vice-president, Marketing, Old Navy in an e-mail to Patch. “The Flip Flop Replay Program teaches children and adults about recycling and reusing, benefiting Old Navy communities around the country.”

According to EarthDay.org's website, the first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, inspired 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed.