Toy recycling that turns broken and unwanted items into plastic pellets for use in creating furniture is one way of keeping stuff out of landfills. (Contributed photo)
Want to do something with your kids that’s good for the environment? Recycle those broken toys.
During the month of April, which is highlighted by Earth Day on the 22nd, you can fill a box with up to 10 pounds of headless dolls, busted Tonka trucks and the like cluttering up your home, and mail it in for recycling for free.
The toy recycling program is a joint effort between natural personal care products maker Tom’s of Maine and international repurposing giant TerraCycle. It aims to significantly reduce the amount of toys that end up in landfills each year.
“Knowing what to do with broken toys is a challenge because as parents we don’t want to be wasteful and throw them away. We want to show our kids there are better solutions,” Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine, said in a news release issued by the companies. “The act of recycling a toy together can be a way for parents to start a conversation with their kids about what we can all do to take care of the planet for generations.”
To take advantage of free toy recycling:
- Go to http://www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste/toy-recycle.html
- Complete the online form to receive a free UPS shipping label via email that can be printed at home
- Fill a box with no more than 10 pounds of broken toys
- Attach the shipping label to the box, seal it and drop it off at any UPS location
“Toys are a waste stream people don’t think about that often, but the amount of broken toys sent to landfills is significant and there hasn’t been a way to dispose of them,” Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, said in the news release. “Parents can now feel good knowing that broken toys can be 100 percent recycled or reused, which helps planet Earth.”
The toy recycling program is part of Tom’s of Maine’s #LessWasteChallenge. It aims to get people to reduce waste by one pound every week for a year. The popular natural toothpaste maker and TerraCycle also offer families ideas for fun repurposing craft projects, such as turning a mouthwash bottle into a bird feeder.
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