Sofia Martinez
As children grow up, they will inevitably grow out of their toys. As a parent, you may be left wondering what to do with the toys they no longer play with. Responsible toy disposal and recycling can be challenging, but there are ways to avoid the landfill. You can check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept plastic toys, or you can contact the manufacturer to see if they offer a recycling program for their products. You can also consider donating toys in good condition to local charities, schools, or daycare centres, or get creative and find new uses for them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Plastic toys are difficult to recycle due to the variety of plastics used and the mixture of materials. |
| Lack of Options | There are limited options for recycling plastic toys, which are mainly made from hard plastic. |
| Local Recycling Facilities | Check with local recycling facilities to see if they accept plastic toys. |
| Toy Manufacturers | Contact toy manufacturers to find out if they offer recycling programs for their products. |
| TerraCycle | TerraCycle runs recycling programs for hard-to-recycle items, including toys. |
| Hasbro Toy Free Recycling Program | Hasbro sponsors a free recycling program for its toys and games through TerraCycle. |
| Safety and Toxicity Concerns | Contact local waste management or recycling centers for guidance on disposing of toxic plastic toys. |
| Repurpose and Reuse | Plastic toys can be repurposed as decorations, storage containers, or used in arts and crafts projects. |
| Donation | Donate gently used plastic toys to local charities, schools, or daycare centers. |
| Cloth Diapers | Using cloth diapers instead of disposable ones reduces plastic waste and is more cost-effective. |
| Toy Libraries | Joining a toy library helps reduce waste, prevent clutter, and save money. |
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What You'll Learn
Donate, reuse or repurpose old toys
Donating, reusing, or repurposing old toys are great ways to reduce waste and help those in need. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Donate
If your child's toys are still in good condition, consider donating them to local charities, schools, or daycare centres. Organisations like Goodwill and The Salvation Army will gladly accept gently used toys and resell them at reasonable prices. Your donations can bring joy to less fortunate children and support charitable causes. You can also contact local children's and women's shelters to inquire about donating toys.
Reuse
Passing on toys to family, friends, or neighbours is another excellent way to extend the life of your child's old toys. You can also opt to purchase used toys instead of buying new ones. Check thrift stores, garage sales, and online exchanges for second-hand toys. When your child outgrows them, pass them on to someone else to reuse.
Repurpose
Get creative and find new uses for old toys. You can repurpose plastic toys as decorations, storage containers, or use them in arts and crafts projects. For example, you can cut and glue plastic dinosaurs onto wooden 'L's to create quirky bookends. You can also use old Lego pieces to create a unique key hanger or turn wooden building blocks into hooks for hanging bags, scarves, coats, or keys.
Repurposing toys can be a fun and nostalgic way to hold onto memories while giving new life to old items. You can find various online tutorials and inspiration for repurposing toys, from creating herb planters to making modern lamp bases.
Remember, when dealing with plastic toys, it is essential to ensure they are cleaned thoroughly before donating, reusing, or repurposing them. Additionally, remove any batteries or electronic components, as these can be recycled separately.
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Check with your local recycling facility
If you have plastic toys that your kids no longer use, the first step is to check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept plastic toys for recycling. Each facility has its own rules and guidelines, so it's important to contact them directly to get accurate information. Some facilities may have specific requirements or restrictions on the types of plastic they can recycle.
When checking with your local recycling facility, be sure to ask about any specific guidelines they may have. Some facilities may only accept certain types of plastic, such as hard plastics or specific resin codes. They might also have requirements for the condition of the toys, such as ensuring they are clean and free from any batteries or electronic components. It is important to separate the materials, as metal and electronic components can be easier to recycle than plastic.
If your local recycling facility does not accept plastic toys, there are other options to consider. One option is to check with the toy manufacturer to see if they offer a recycling program for their products. Many manufacturers are now implementing take-back programs or partnerships with recycling companies to ensure their products can be properly recycled. You can also search for specialized recycling programs, such as TerraCycle, which offers a toy recycling program where consumers can purchase boxes, fill them with toys, and send them back for recycling.
In addition to recycling, you can also explore other options to responsibly dispose of plastic toys. If the toys are in good condition, consider donating them to local charities, schools, or daycare centers. You can also get creative and repurpose the toys for other uses, such as decorations, storage containers, or arts and crafts projects. Remember, it is important to keep plastic toys out of regular garbage bins as they are not biodegradable and can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills.
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Identify the type of plastic and find a recycler
It is important to identify the type of plastic your toy is made of, as different types of plastics have different recycling processes and requirements. You can identify the type of plastic by looking for the resin identification code, usually found inside the recycling symbol on the toy. The code will be a number, which corresponds to the type of plastic. For example, #1 (PETE or PET) and #2 (HDPE) are the most commonly recycled plastics, while #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7 are more challenging to recycle and may not be accepted by all local recycling programs.
Some common types of plastic include polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is hard, transparent, and often used for shampoo bottles and buckets; high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which is accepted worldwide for recycling and is used for non-food item bottles like shampoo and cleaners; and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which has high chlorine content and is used for pipes, vinyl, credit cards, and medical equipment.
Once you have identified the type of plastic your toy is made of, you can find a recycler that accepts that specific type of plastic. You can start by checking with your local recycling facility or waste management center to see if they accept plastic toys. Many local authorities now offer collection facilities for plastic bottles and some also accept mixed plastics packaging. You can also use online tools, such as recycling locators, to find recyclers near you that accept specific types of plastic.
In addition to local recycling facilities, there are alternative plastic recycling systems, such as Precious Plastic, which have spaces around the world where you can take your plastic waste.
If you have any concerns about the safety or toxicity of the plastic toys, you can always contact your local waste management or recycling center for guidance on how to dispose of them responsibly.
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Contact the toy manufacturer
If you're looking to recycle your child's plastic toys, one of the first steps you can take is to contact the toy manufacturer. Many toy manufacturers offer recycling programs for their products, and some even partner with recycling companies to provide brand-specific recycling services.
For example, Hasbro has partnered with TerraCycle to offer a free national toy recycling program. You can simply download a free shipping label, fill a box with Hasbro toys and games, and send it off to be recycled. Other manufacturers may have similar programs in place, so it's worth checking their websites or contacting their customer service teams for more information.
Even if a manufacturer does not have a dedicated toy recycling program, it is still worthwhile to let them know that you, as a consumer, expect them to offer responsible disposal options for their products. This can encourage them to consider implementing such programs in the future.
Additionally, some recycling companies, like TerraCycle, offer brand-sponsored recycling programs. These programs allow brands to partner with TerraCycle to provide free recycling for their products and packaging that cannot be recycled through traditional curbside services. So, if the toy manufacturer does not have its own program, they may be able to direct you to a brand-sponsored program they are affiliated with.
When contacting the toy manufacturer, it is helpful to have specific information about the toys you want to recycle, such as the type of plastic they are made from. This will assist the manufacturer in providing you with accurate information about your recycling options.
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Opt for natural, sustainable materials
Opting for natural, sustainable materials is an excellent way to reduce your environmental impact and provide your children with safe and fun toys. The toy industry is a significant contributor to global waste and pollution, with millions of plastic toys ending up in landfills each year. Plastic toys are challenging to recycle due to the variety of materials used in their production and the lack of recycling programs specifically for toys.
Natural material toys, on the other hand, are made from resources like wood, bamboo, organic cotton, and recycled materials, which are renewable and have a lower environmental footprint. For example, wooden toys are durable and can last for generations, making them a more sustainable choice. You can even repurpose scrap wood or use sustainably sourced wood to create toys, such as sanded-down building blocks, which are safe for children and can be left natural or painted with non-toxic paint. Old clothes, towels, or blankets can also be transformed into soft toys, dolls, or hand puppets, teaching your child about upcycling while practicing basic sewing skills.
When shopping for eco-friendly toys, look for materials like rubberwood, FSC-certified wood and paper, post-consumer recycled plastic, and sustainably sourced cotton. These materials are better for the planet and your children's health, as they are free from the toxic chemicals often found in plastic toys. Sustainable toys are often simpler, encouraging children to use their imagination and creativity, promoting cognitive and physical development.
You can find sustainable toys from brands like EarthHero, which offers products like natural beeswax crayons, wooden toys, plastic-free games, recycled plastic bath toys, and organic cotton stuffed animals. Certifications like FSC or GOTS indicate a toy brand's commitment to sustainability, and it's also helpful to research the brand's sustainability practices and materials used.
In addition to buying sustainable toys, you can also reduce waste by repurposing items found around your home. For example, empty cans, boxes, and bottles can be turned into musical instruments, and you can create a craft kit using natural materials like leaves, twigs, pine cones, and stones for various creative projects. Choosing natural, sustainable materials for toys is a great way to promote sustainability, reduce environmental waste, and provide safe and stimulating play options for your children.
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Frequently asked questions
First, check with your local recycling facility to see if they accept plastic toys. If they do, make sure to clean the toys thoroughly and remove any batteries or electronic components before recycling. If the toys are broken, you will need to break them apart into separate materials. Metal and electronic components can be recycled separately, but plastic and wood may be more difficult. You can use the Earth911 Recycling Search and search by the plastic code to identify local recyclers of that type of plastic.
If your plastic toys are still in good condition, consider donating them to local charities, schools, or daycare centres. You can also get creative and repurpose them as decorations, storage containers, or even use them in arts and crafts projects.
Try to buy used toys instead of new ones, and opt for durable toys made from natural, sustainable materials. Consider joining a toy library, which provides your kids with new toys as they develop and saves you money. When toys break, try to repair them, and consider rotating toys to increase their novelty and reduce the number you buy.
