Transforming Trash into Treasure: Wayne Township Preschool Creates Innovative Playground from Plastic Bottle Caps

Wayne Township Preschool is transforming trash into treasure by creating an innovative playground out of plastic bottle caps. The project started when Rachel Lamb, a teacher at the preschool, recognized the need for her students, particularly those with special needs, to have access to a more inclusive and engaging outdoor learning environment.

"I have a passion for students who have special needs, and I just wanted to make sure they had the opportunity to have the resources and experiences of being outside just like anybody else," said Lamb, affectionately known as Ms. Lamb by her students.

Lamb's vision was an outdoor learning area where children could build gross motor skills, engage in imaginative play, and interact with natural elements while supporting their individual developmental needs.

After learning about a sustainable recycling initiative through Phoenix Closures and GreenTree Plastics, Lamb collected hundreds of pounds of plastic caps. Phoenix Closures donated the caps, and GreenTree Plastics transformed them into playground equipment.

"Once all the community members started bringing in bags and bags of bottle caps, I realized we were a lot closer than I thought," said Lamb.

In total, over 900 pounds of plastic caps and lids were collected, enough to be exchanged for a full set of playground resources, including benches, picnic tables, and sensory tables.

"The outdoor space will give us the opportunity to provide all our teachers and students the appropriate resources needed to pair with learning in their own classrooms," Lamb said.

The project has become a community movement. Students, families, and staff from Wayne Township Preschool worked side by side with volunteers from the Wayne Township Education Foundation to collect caps and spread the word.

The goal is to have the new learning area open and ready by spring break 2026.