Can't Reuse or Easily Recycle Your Toys?

There Is Another Option

As most of us know, the reuse of toys by donating, gifting to others or selling toys is the best option.

According to Terracycle, Australians throw a staggering 26.8 million toys in the bin every year as options for recycling toys are scarce, with the majority not being kerbside recyclable.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said nearly 27 million toys were thrown away by Australians every year.

"Everything that goes into landfill is wasted," she said, "Micro-plastics contaminate the environment, they contaminate our ocean and more importantly, we're not making use of something that's been created and could be re-manufactured, reused and repurposed."

But what's the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of broken toys, missing pieces, or just too well-worn to pass on?

With old toys that can be fixed and reused, organisations like Reverse Garbage, The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre and The Peninsula Senior Citizens Toy Repair Group Inc at Ingleside can take toys. Also, check out where you can donate pre-loved goodies on Local Freecycling and Recycling Facebook Groups.

Unfortunately, in general, you can not recycle toys in kerbside recycling.

Toys are made up of many different components, and that mix of materials makes recycling very tricky.

Most toys are made of a mix of wood and plastic, composite plastics that require different recycling from each other and extra parts like magnets, batteries and bolts.

Did you know that 100% wooden toys generally can't be recycled because they are decorated with paints and varnishes?

If you can't reuse your toys, then there is another option.

Terracycle, in conjunction with Big W stores, has rolled out a toy recycling program across Australia, providing a Zero Waste Toy Chest Recycling bin, after conducting a study into what happened to toys.

Big W managing director Pejman Okhovat said, "Parents don't really have a good sustainable way with which they can deal with those overgrown, outgrown, pre-loved toys," he said.

A collection bin was trialled in-store, and 18 tonnes of old toys were collected in the first 12 months, highlighting the demand by parents for better recycling solutions.

"Customers have become much more aware of environmental issues," Mr Okhovat said. "Everyone wants to live a greener life."

Please find your nearest participating store on our map above, and look out for the toy chest recycling bin to recycle your pre-loved toys.

For more information, visit www.bigw.com.au/toys-for-joy.

All types of toys can be placed in recycling bins. Here is a guide to some items that can be recycled:

• Toys or toy pieces
• Cards, dice, puzzle pieces, game pieces, game boards, packaging from board games
• Stuffed animals
• Baby toys
• Building sets like lego
• Action figures

The toy recycling program does not accept:

• Books
• Batteries inc lithium-ion batteries
• Board games
• Wooden toys
• Play-doh, paint and slime
• Pens, pencils, crayons or paintbrushes
• Oversized toys such as bikes, scooters, skateboards or sports toys such as soccer goals

Toy Recycling Process - From toys to playgrounds

Jean Bailliard, Australia general manager of TerraCycle, said toys would be separated manually for recycling.

After the toys are delivered to the TerraCycle centres, the plastic is sorted and shredded into a raw format. Product manufacturers then used that raw material to create new products.

"We created a playground from toys that were collected," he said.

"We turn them into meaningful products for kids to enjoy again … it's giving back to the community by recycling."

Mr Bailliard said more toy manufacturers and waste management companies should work together to develop waste solutions.

Before sending your pre-loved toys to Terracycle, ensure where possible batteries are removed whenever possible.

You can then recycle the batteries separately. Remember to Tape the battery terminals on both ends before disposal.

Most councils have recycling stations in customer service centres, libraries, community and recreation centres, or Recycle Household Chemical CleanOut drop-off events.

You can also drop them into shops such as Aldi, Officeworks and Woolworths or a B-cycle drop-off point.

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Beware of greenwashing

Beware of toys with packaging stating they're recyclable when it's easy to see that they are not recyclable.

If a toy that is made from bioplastics and its packaging states it's recyclable, it is NOT!

At present, there is no council kerbside Bioplastics recycling in Australia yet. These items will end up in landfill.

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Do you have small and large toys that cant be recycled, bikes, scooters, play gym equipment, old portable swiming poos and the like, then order a household clean-out service with us and we can get rid of your junk for your next spring clean!