Park Lane Primary School in Tilehurst is asking for help in its bid to win a playground made from recycled materials.

The Sistema Recycled Playground Contest, which runs until December 18, 2024, will award the school that collects the most recycled plastic food storage containers and lids, as well as reusable plastic water bottles and caps, which are not typically accepted in kerbside recycling collections.

The school has set up a public collection point and is accepting used waste from any brand.

The collection box, situated next to the library at the Infant Site on School Road, is open from 9am to 5pm on weekdays.

Park Lane Primary School is participating in the contest run by food storage and hydration experts Sistema, in collaboration with recycling specialists TerraCycle.

The competition is part of the Sistema Food Storage Container and Reusable Bottle Free Recycling Programme.

The school that collects the most used plastic food storage containers and lids, along with reusable plastic water bottles and caps, will win a playground with a frame made entirely from recycled materials.

The playground will feature two slides, an approach ramp with rope, and a large joining platform, among other features.

Additionally, both the winning and runner-up schools will receive a Sistema lunchbox and water bottle for each pupil.

The winners of the contest will be announced in January 2025.

Mrs Browne, headteacher of Park Lane Primary School, expressed her excitement about the contest. She said: "We’re thrilled to be participating in this great contest from Sistema and we are calling on all members of the Tilehurst community to help us be in with a chance of winning a brand-new playground with a frame made from 100 per cent recycled waste.

"Simply bring any used food storage containers and lids, as well as reusable plastic water bottles and caps, to the drop-off location collection box next to the library at the Infant Site on School Road, between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

"Our school is also part of TerraCycle’s Warburton’s Bakery Free Recycling Programme, Warburton’s Wax Free Recycling Programme, and the Pladis Biscuits and Snacks Free Recycling, among others, so feel free to drop off these types of waste to our public access collection point too."

Park Lane Primary School can track the amount of waste they have sent for recycling and their progress in the contest through a leaderboard on the Sistema contest page on the TerraCycle website, which is updated monthly.