Trumbull kids playing in trash

Trumbull (WTNH) - Volunteers are working hard today on a new playground in Trumbull that is made of recycled plastic containers.

"The intent is to recycle laundry bottles instead of ending up in a landfill, we create a playground out of them," said Craig Slavtchesf, Sun Products.

It's called the Full Circle playground and it started with Sun Products asking local students to collect and recycle empty laundry detergent containers.

The students collected over 50,000 bottles which were then shipped off to Chicago where they were converted into foam extruded plastic. It's like a version of lumber, perfect for assembling the Full Circle Playground.

In just one day, the volunteers have been drilling, lifting, and bolt-tightening. It's taken 2,000 volunteer hours to erect the recycled playground. The kids not only will have a new playground, but they'll also learn about the environment.

"I hope this creates recycling behavior in families. Kids are good at guilting parents into things like wearing seatbelts. We hope this works for recycling as well," said Slavtchesf.

And the volunteers? They got a lesson too.

"In understanding that giving back to the community is really important and I'm glad to be a part of that and the kids get a playground," said Heather Prentice of Monroe.

The Full Circle Playground is located at the Trumbull Nature and Arts Center on Main Street.