1000 pieces of recyclable plastic = 1 Buddy Bench for Our Community
We’re throwing down a challenge — and we need YOUR help!
The City of Louisville has an exciting opportunity to earn a Buddy Bench — and Louisville residents have a unique opportunity to give back in a meaningful (and sustainable!) way. The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is donating 20 Buddy Benches made entirely from recycled plastic to communities that collect 1,000 pieces of #2 plastic. With your help, we can earn one for Louisville — transforming everyday recyclables into a symbol of connection, kindness, and environmental stewardship.
What is a Buddy Bench?
The Buddy Bench movement was started by then-8-year-old Sammie Vance to help kids feel less lonely at school. The idea is simple but powerful: if a child is feeling left out or alone, they sit on the bench as a signal that they’d like a friend to join them. Since the project began, more than 500 Buddy Benches have been donated to schools and parks across the country.
Now we have the chance to add one right here in Louisville!
How to Participate
Saturday, April 5
8 a.m. – 1 p.m.
City of Louisville Branch Recycle Site
(Located just to the north of the Louisville Cemetery on Empire Road)
Bring your clean, dry #2 plastic recyclables (with caps and labels removed) to the drop-off location. All items will be counted, documented, and delivered to our local recycling center as part of our official submission.
Once we reach our 1,000-piece goal and submit the documentation to NRPA, Louisville will be eligible to receive a Buddy Bench — which will be proudly installed in one of our community parks.
What is #2 Plastic?
#2 plastic is High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), a versatile and widely recyclable plastic material. Look for the #2 inside the recycling triangle — that’s HDPE plastic, commonly found in:
- Milk jugs
- Yogurt containers
- Laundry detergent bottles
- Shampoo bottles
Thank you to our Parks and Sustainability teams for leading this initiative. Let’s come together to turn our recyclables into something lasting and meaningful — for our parks, our planet, and each other.
Questions? Contact Abby McNeal at amcneal@louisvilleco.gov
