Play Mart Partners with Local Business to Turn Waste into Sustainable Playgrounds

Collaboration with X-Treme Bait Tanks keeps thousands of pounds of plastic out of landfills while strengthening Pulaski County’s economy.

Somerset, KY — October 22, 2025 — Play Mart, Inc./Nature of Early Play, a woman-owned playground equipment manufacturer based in Somerset, Kentucky, has joined forces with fellow Pulaski County business X-Treme Bait Tanks to create a unique partnership that benefits both the economy and the environment. The collaboration, facilitated by the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED), transforms what was once waste material into valuable recycled resources for Play Mart’s eco-friendly playground products.

Play Mart has been a pioneer in sustainable manufacturing for over 30 years, producing 100% American-made playground equipment crafted primarily from recycled plastics. The company’s closed-loop production system prevents millions of pounds of plastic from entering landfills annually, turning post-consumer and post-industrial waste into safe, durable playground structures.

The partnership began when SKED Small Business Training Director Amanda Kelly visited Play Mart’s facility as part of her work with the Kentucky Childcare Initiative. During the tour, Kelly recognized a unique opportunity to connect Play Mart with another of her clients, X-Treme Bait Tanks—a veteran-owned business in nearby Ferguson that fabricates custom bait tanks using High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), the same material Play Mart recycles.

Under the new collaboration, X-Treme Bait Tanks collects and stores its HDPE waste in disposal bins provided by Play Mart. Play Mart then processes the material, reintroducing it into its production cycle. The partnership is projected to recycle between 7,000 and 10,000 pounds of HDPE each year—material that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

“We are very grateful to Amanda Kelly and SKED for connecting us with X-Treme Bait Tanks,” said Koe Bell, Play Mart Plant Manager. “With her creativity and knowledge of local businesses, she found a solution that helps both companies while supporting our shared commitment to environmental responsibility. It’s a great example of how local collaboration can make a big difference.”

X-Treme Bait Tanks owner Damon Melcho echoed the enthusiasm, noting that the partnership not only reduces waste but also aligns with his company’s mission to operate efficiently and sustainably. “After visiting Play Mart, I knew we had a lot in common—especially our materials and dedication to quality,” said Melcho. “This partnership allows us to recycle thousands of pounds of HDPE each year and contribute to a cleaner environment.”

This collaboration exemplifies how Kentucky businesses can work together to strengthen both local industries and environmental stewardship. By connecting innovative companies and fostering resourceful thinking, SKED continues to empower economic growth and sustainability throughout the region.

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Read more about this partnership in an article featured in the Commonwealth Journal.

About Play Mart, Inc. / Nature of Early Play
Founded in Somerset, Kentucky, Play Mart is a woman-owned, family-operated playground equipment manufacturer specializing in eco-friendly, 100% American-made products. Using recycled plastics to produce safe, durable, and sustainable play environments, Play Mart is dedicated to creating a greener future—one playground at a time.

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Testimonials

"Play Mart Inc. is truly the company you want to do business with when looking for commercial grade playground equipment.

Lesson learned: not all playground equipment is compatible with other equipment. Our HOA had a Play Mart set that was purchased in 2005 it was needing to be refurbished. Ryan Williams contacted me right away asking what he could do to help. Records hadn’t been kept so I was having difficulty finding what we had and what we could do. After sending pictures from my phone, Ryan took over giving us the original design blueprint! A detailed report on what we had and what needed to be replaced was soon in my hands.

We were elated to learn that some of our stuff was still under warranty! Options of what could be done and what must be done to ensure the safety of our children were outstanding! We were so pleased that the nightmare of searching for playground equipment was now over! The equipment is made in the USA too.

While we wait for delivery we can’t thank Ryan Williams enough for the care he took in making sure that our playground is safe! They also offer installation if you need that! Everything ships with detailed installation instructions like a picture book! Thank You Play Mart and Ryan for all of your professional help!"

Jeanette Bowen

"I'm not sure whether the kids would have caused damage to the playset at some point, but the playground survived the hurricane. Your RSP™ is amazing."

Tim H. Gateway Services Community Development District

Ft Myers, FL

“I would just like to let you know Play Mart did a wonderful job on the packing/shipping and installation instructions. We have installed almost every manufacturer in the market and your company is the most installation friendly we have done in years.”

Playground Installation Crew

Kansas

“The contractor who assembled the set told me it was his first experience with recycled material in play sets and he was very impressed. He also told me it was very well packaged and user friendly for assembly.

It looks first class and blends in well with the wooded area surrounding our church. We like the fact we can accommodate so many kids with a set this size.”

Bruce P.

Topeka, KS

“This is cooler than big kids stuff!”

5 Year Old Child

Topeka, KS

“Congratulations on your extensive and impressive exhibit of your playground products. I was most impressed. If I were a child, I would spend a lot of time in the music section of your marvelous array of enticing things to do. But on the other hand, I could easily be enticed to the many other play opportunities for play and learning.

It is blatantly obvious that you have put a lot of careful thought into developing your engaging products for children. Congratulations and thank you for the tour of your exhibit at the trade show.”

Matthew Evans, FASLA Senior Landscape Architect & Horticulturist

US Capitol, Washington, DC

“It gives me great pleasure to be able to write a letter on behalf of Play Mart, Inc. On two different occasions in recent years, Play Mart constructed playground equipment on our school property. Play Mart representatives went out of their way to meet with the school playground committee so that we fully understand our options and the cost. We have been delighted with the equipment that Play Mart representatives recommended for our students. It is age appropriate and safe. We have had to make two minor repairs, which were quickly taken care of by the company.
In the process building the playground, we were very interested in using recycled materials. Availability of this via Play Mart was a big reason why we choose this company. Play Mart worked with us in obtaining exactly what we wanted. We were very pleased with the construction timeline and the value for the price. When we wanted to add more equipment, Play Mart was most helpful and made the changes cost effective for us. Our students spend many happy hours enjoying the playground.

We have been very happy with the entire project. It is with great satisfaction I write this letter on behalf of the company and their employees.”

Sister Laverne K., School Principal

Newark, DE

“We continue to be so pleased with our playscape! As soon as we open the door in preparation for outside play, the children head straight for the playscape. The teachers so enjoy watching the students play some of their favorite games which include: Pirate Ship (they all crowd on top of the playscape sailing off for adventure of the high seas), Shark! (similar to pirate ship but they all stand on top screaming “shark”), and Ice cream shop (sellers stand under the playscape and deliver ice cream cones to customers on the other side of the ‘counter’).
We thank you again for working so closely with us as we designed this safe and sturdy play area to fit the needs of our Nursery School. It has been one year and it still looks great, blending beautifully into our historic town green. Both our school and our community look forward to many, many more years of fun!”

Laurie H., Daycare Director

Washington, CT

“Our entire church is excited with the equipment and especially glad we saved 32,226 milk jugs from a landfill. We love the look of wood without the problems of termites and splintering.”

Joyce W.

Jacksonville, AR

“I wanted to drop you a quick note to commend you on your subcontractor’s performance…The combination of your quality equipment and the installation by Hammer Down has provided the staff, children and Marine Corp with an excellent play facility. The installation and application of the equipment has turned out superbly.  Hammer Down, Paul and his entire crew were pleasant to work with, knowledgeable of the equipment and codes and had an uncommon willingness to work well with us and other contractors. I commend them for an excellent install and terrific attitude.

As for the poured in place rubber; again a superb product paired with a great subcontractor. Clean Play, Allen and his crew provided a level of work that would be hard to surpass. The installation went smoothly and quickly. I appreciate their attention to detail and cleanliness. Though we may have stayed late, I never have an issue doing that for a contractor that works as hard and diligently as they did each and every day. There performance was outstanding and one I would look forward to seeing again.

I appreciate all of your help and you providing us with such high quality subcontractors. Thank you.”

Mike R., Superintendent

Sauer, Inc.