Sofia Martinez
Plastic toys are often thrown out, with 55% of parents admitting to regularly tossing toys to reduce clutter. As these toys sit in landfills, they leach hazardous toxins into the air and water, increasing the risk of liver and kidney disease and cancers. While recycling plastic toys is difficult, there are several options to recycle, repair, or donate them. Some companies, like Lego, will replace or sell missing pieces, and services like This Old Toy and Randy's Toy Shop, repair toys. If your plastic toys are in good condition, you can donate them to a thrift shop, charity, or another child. If toys are broken or damaged, you can recycle them through the manufacturer, a local recycling program, or a company like TerraCycle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Plastic toys are difficult to recycle, especially those made up of tiny plastic parts that can't be easily separated. |
| Hazards | Plastic toys sitting in landfills can leach hazardous toxins into the air and water, increasing the risk of liver and kidney disease and cancers. |
| Manufacturer Programs | Some manufacturers, like Mattel, Hasbro, and Lego, offer takeback or recycling programs for their products. |
| Preparation | Remove batteries and dispose of them separately. Break apart toys into separate materials, such as metal, plastic, and electronic components, for easier recycling. |
| Shipping | Use an old cardboard box and package toys with cushioning if needed. Affix a prepaid shipping label provided by the manufacturer or recycling program. |
| Recycling Process | Sorting, shredding, and melting plastic to create new products. Downcycling into other plastic products or converting waste to energy if toys are outdated or damaged. |
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What You'll Learn
Check for batteries and dispose of them separately
When it comes to recycling plastic toys, it's important to remember that batteries need to be disposed of separately. Most recycling programs, including those by major toy manufacturers, require batteries to be removed from toys before sending them in for recycling. So, before you pack up your plastic toys for recycling, be sure to check for batteries.
This is an important step because batteries contain hazardous materials that can be harmful to the environment if not disposed of properly. By separating the batteries from the plastic toys, you can ensure that the batteries are handled and recycled appropriately.
So, what's the best way to dispose of batteries? First, check with your local municipality or government guidelines for advice on battery disposal. They may have specific recommendations or drop-off locations for battery recycling. You can also try searching online for battery recycling programs or locations near you. Some retailers or battery manufacturers may offer battery recycling services as well.
It's worth noting that some types of batteries, such as rechargeable batteries, may have different disposal requirements than single-use batteries. Be sure to separate them accordingly and follow any specific instructions for their disposal. By properly disposing of batteries, you can help reduce the environmental impact of your waste and contribute to a greener planet.
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Identify the type of plastic and find a recycler
To recycle plastic toys, you must first identify the type of plastic they are made of. You can do this by looking for the resin identification code, which is usually a number found inside the recycling symbol on plastic products. This code indicates the type of plastic the product is made of. The most commonly recycled plastics are PET (or PETE) and HDPE, which are used in plastic bottles and some packaging. Other types of plastic, such as PVC and PP, may be more difficult to recycle and are not always collected by local recycling programs.
Once you have identified the type of plastic, you can find a recycler that accepts that particular type of plastic. Many local recycling programs only accept certain types of plastic, so it is important to check with your local program to see what they accept. You can also check with retailers and grocery stores, as some of them may accept specific types of plastic for recycling. For example, some supermarkets and retailers now collect soft plastics, such as plastic bags, wrappings, and packaging, for recycling.
If you have plastic toys that are not accepted by your local recycling program, you may be able to recycle them through a specialized program. For example, TerraCycle offers a free recycling program for Hasbro toys and games. This program accepts a variety of toy types, including plastic, wood, and metal, and provides free shipping labels for you to send in your toys for recycling. However, this program is brand-specific, so it may not be an option for all plastic toys.
It is important to note that some plastic toys may contain batteries, which need to be removed and disposed of separately before recycling the toy. Additionally, if your toys are in good condition, you may consider donating them to a thrift shop or charity instead of recycling them. This can give the toys a second life and reduce the need for new plastic toys to be produced.
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Find a takeback program through the manufacturer
If you're looking to recycle plastic toys, one of the best options is to find a takeback program through the manufacturer. Takeback programs are a great way to relieve the consumer of the burden of recycling or disposing of products, and some companies have taken the lead in offering these programs, driven by ethics and a desire to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
One of the most well-known toy manufacturers with a takeback program is Mattel, Inc. Mattel's PlayBack program accepts only Mattel brand toys, including Barbie, Matchbox, and MEGA toys. To participate, simply fill out a brief form on the company's website, and you'll be provided with a free, printable prepaid shipping label. Package your toys in an old cardboard box, making sure to remove and recycle any batteries separately, and then drop the box off at your local post office. Mattel will then sort and separate the toys by material, promising to recycle or reuse them in new toy products whenever possible.
Another option for recycling plastic toys is through TerraCycle, which partners with different manufacturers to offer free recycling for their products. Currently, TerraCycle offers free recycling for Hasbro brand toys and games, Spin Master toys and games, L.O.L. Surprise products, and VTech and LeapFrog electronic toys and learning devices. To participate in the Hasbro Free Recycling Program, simply create a TerraCycle account, download and print a prepaid shipping label, and seal your box before sending it off to be recycled.
It's important to note that these programs often have specific requirements and limitations, so be sure to check the manufacturer's website for detailed information before participating. Additionally, if your plastic toys are in good condition, you may also consider donating them to a thrift shop or charity, such as Donation Town, which gives toys to children in need.
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Donate toys in good condition to thrift shops or charities
If your plastic toys are in good condition, consider donating them to a thrift shop or charity. This is a great way to give pre-loved toys a new lease of life and support a good cause. Many charities operate thrift stores, and the revenue generated from sales helps to benefit their clients and the wider community.
Charity thrift stores typically accept a wide range of gently used items, including clothing, toys, housewares, books, furniture, electronics, and appliances. Some charities have specific drop-off days and times for donations, so be sure to check their websites or give them a call before you go. Some even offer pickup services for your donated items.
For example, in Dallas, there are several thrift stores that accept toy donations. GRACEful Buys accepts toys, clothes, linens, working electronics, books, and household items at its donation station. The Family Place Resale Shop is another option, supporting survivors of family violence by providing safe housing and empowering services. They accept a range of items, including clothing, furniture, housewares, and toys.
If you're not sure where to donate your toys, you can search online for local thrift stores and charities in your area. Donation Town, for instance, picks up unwanted toys and distributes them to children in need. You can also consider national organizations such as Toys for Texans, which accepts online donations and has helped thousands of people through their toy drives.
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Break apart toys into separate materials for recycling
Breaking apart toys into their separate materials is a great way to recycle them, but it can be a tricky and time-consuming process. It is important to remember that safety should always come first when handling sharp tools and potentially harmful substances. Gloves and safety goggles are recommended when breaking apart toys.
Firstly, check if the toy has batteries. If it does, remove them and dispose of them separately. Be sure not to use any tools on a toy with batteries still intact. Some toys may have hidden screws beneath covers, so carefully remove pieces and continue unscrewing. It is important to note that you should never force anything when taking toys apart.
Using the right tools for the job is crucial. For example, a coping saw is ideal for cutting through plastic toys, as it allows for quick and even cuts without the risk of breaking a razor blade. An extra-long, tiny screwdriver will be needed to remove screws.
Once the toys have been broken down into their separate materials, these can be recycled accordingly. Metal components can be taken to scrap yards, which accept a wide variety of metal items. Plastic pieces with recycling codes stamped on them can be identified and recycled through the Earth911 Recycling Search.
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Frequently asked questions
Recycling plastic toys can be difficult due to the variety of materials used to make them. If the toys are broken or damaged, you will need to break them apart into separate materials. Metal and electronic components can be recycled at scrap yards or with local electronics recyclers. Plastic pieces with recycling codes can be identified using the Earth911 Recycling Search. Some companies, like Lego, will replace or sell missing pieces, so you can also try to get toys repaired. If you have a lot of plastic toys to recycle, you can purchase a box from TerraCycle, fill it up, and send it back to them for recycling.
Mattel, one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world, has launched its own toy takeback program called Mattel PlayBack. The program accepts only Mattel-brand toys and promises to recycle and reuse their components in new toy products whenever possible. Hasbro also offers a free toy recycling program in partnership with TerraCycle. This program is also free and brand-specific.
If your plastic toys are in good condition, you can donate them to a thrift shop or charity. You can also give them to friends, relatives, or neighbours with kids. Some companies, like Green Toys, use recycled plastics and other environmentally-friendly materials to make their products, so you can try to opt for those when buying new toys.
