ShopRite, in collaboration with recycling company TerraCycle and other community partners, has unveiled new dog park equipment at Essex County South Mountain Reservation. The equipment, made entirely from recycled flexible plastic packaging, is the result of a year-long pilot program that successfully collected over 4.6 tons of hard-to-recycle materials from customers at local ShopRite stores.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on August 27 to celebrate the completion of the project, which was a collaboration between ShopRite, Procter & Gamble, Purina, Campbell’s Snacks, and TerraCycle. The pilot encouraged customers at five New Jersey ShopRite locations to deposit items like chip bags, pet food pouches, and detergent packs into dedicated collection kiosks.
“This pilot not only diverted waste from landfills but also gave new life to the materials as dog park equipment, showing how collaboration and consumer engagement can drive sustainability forward in our communities,” an event organizer stated.
The over 9,125 pounds of flexible plastic collected were processed by TerraCycle into raw materials, which were then used to manufacture the durable dog park equipment. This project highlights a successful example of how public-private partnerships can transform waste into a lasting community impact.
