Toy Packaging: How Much Plastic Is Really Recyclable?

Plastic packaging creates a lot of waste, and toys are no exception. In fact, toys are often thrown away after a short lifespan, as children grow and their interests change. Toy packaging often consists of a mix of materials, such as cardboard, paper and plastic, and while some of these are recyclable, others are not. In this article, we will explore the extent to which toy packaging can be recycled, and the environmental impact of the toy industry more broadly.

Plastic toys are almost entirely made of hard plastic

Toy consumption is a global contributor to ongoing issues about environmental justice and climate change. Each year, 60 million Barbie dolls are sold, contributing emissions equivalent to burning 381 million gallons of gasoline. In France, 40 million toys are discarded into landfills annually, and worldwide, toys make up 6% of all landfill plastics.

However, some companies are making efforts to use recycled plastic in their toys. For example, the Californian company Green Toys uses 100% recycled plastic from milk bottles in their toys, and the Italian brand Clementoni has introduced a Baby Garden made with 15% of materials derived from recycled diapers.

Toy and gift packaging often consist of different materials such as cardboard, paper, and plastic. Some of these materials are recyclable, while others are not. It is important to separate these materials before recycling.

Plastic toys are not often recyclable

Toy consumption is a global contributor to environmental issues and climate change. Each year, 60 million Barbie dolls are sold, contributing emissions equivalent to burning 381 million gallons of gasoline. In France, 40 million toys are discarded into landfills annually, and worldwide, toys make up 6% of all landfill plastics.

Some companies are making efforts to use recycled plastic in their toys. For example, Californian company Green Toys makes toys from 100% recycled plastic from milk bottles, and Italian brand Clementoni has a line of toys for early childhood made with 15% of materials derived from recycled diapers.

It is important to separate different materials, such as cardboard, paper and plastic, before recycling toy packaging.

Toy packaging often consists of different materials

The toy industry is a major user of plastic, with about 90% of toys made of some type of plastic, most of which is not recyclable. According to the UNEP, toys are the most plastic-intensive industry in the world. This, combined with the fact that toys are often thrown away after a short lifespan, means that the environmental impact of toys is significant.

However, some companies are making efforts to reduce this impact. For example, the Californian company Green Toys makes toys from 100% recycled plastic from milk bottles, while the Italian brand Clementoni has introduced a line of toys for early childhood made with 15% of materials derived from recycled diapers.

Toys are often thrown away after a short lifespan

Toy and gift packaging often consists of different materials such as cardboard, paper and plastic. Some of these are recyclable, while others are not. These will need to be separated before recycling. However, it is not always easy to separate the different materials that make up toy packaging. For example, a toy kitchen contains 5.6 kg of valuable plastic, the equivalent of 400 empty plastic water bottles. Or 150 bottles to equal a pushbike.

Recycling plastic packaging is important, but recycling plastic toys seems to be an absolute necessity. Toys make up 6% of all landfill plastics. Each year, 60 million Barbie dolls are sold, contributing emissions equivalent to burning 381 million gallons of gasoline. In France, 40 million toys are discarded into landfills annually.

There are some companies that are trying to make a difference. For example, the Californian company Green Toys has an endless catalogue of toys all made from 100% recycled plastic from milk bottles. In Italy, the historic brand Clementoni has announced a novelty in its line of toys for early childhood in recycled plastic: a Baby Garden made with 15% of materials derived from recycled diapers.

Toy consumption is a global contributor to environmental issues

Toy packaging is also a significant contributor to the problem. While some packaging is recyclable, it often consists of different materials such as cardboard, paper, and plastic, which need to be separated before recycling. Marketing has also played a role in increasing the environmental impact of toys, as packaging has become an essential part of the "toy experience".

The good news is that some companies are starting to address this issue. For example, the Californian company Green Toys makes toys from 100% recycled plastic from milk bottles, and the Italian brand Clementoni has introduced a line of toys for early childhood made with 15% recycled plastic from diapers.

To reduce the environmental impact of toy consumption, manufacturers and consumers can use the tools of design, material selection, and marketing. For example, toys can be designed to be more durable and made from recyclable or recycled materials. Consumers can also play a role by recycling or reusing toys instead of throwing them away after a short lifespan.

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