Sustainable solutions to children’s toy waste! It’s child’s play!

We all know the buzz and appeal that the latest toy crazes create for children. While most of these flavours of the week can be enjoyed for a few days or months, in some cases, they really do not have much re-play value. With an estimated 80% of toys ending up in landfills, incinerators, or the ocean, this really is an issue we need to tackle.  

So how can we do this?  

Here are some things that you can do today to help.  

With the holidays coming up, it is a wonderful time to check those toy boxes for toys that have been cycled down to the bottom of the pile but could be donated to charity or resold online to fund the next shipment. This could be done with your children to support them in developing social consciousness and empathy for those less fortunate than them. In the current economic climate, your donated toys could be the only toys that some children receive on Christmas morning. Also, this is a great opportunity to teach children about sustainability and help them understand the importance of the environment. By starting young, you can help instill a sense of responsibility that they will carry into adult life.  

If you are met with protests, tears and tantrums that leave you reaching for a glass of medicinal gin, the next best step is to repurpose.  

There are some fantastic resources online that provide step by step tutorials on how to repaint plastic toys for a seasonal makeover or give Barbie a fabulous deep condition treatment with your fabric softener! This activity could also fill in a rainy afternoon and get them away from electronic devices.  

If you are partial to a bit of up-cycling or want to add some cool new bits to your home, there is a massive online craze for turning old toys into furniture. And there really is no limit to your creativity! Prehistoric toys make the most lovable planters! Anything can be achieved with a glue gun!  

Check out the links at the bottom of this article for guides and more information on revamping and repurposing old toys!  

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These are just some ideas to end the terror of excess waste created by children’s toys. The biggest dent we can make in the issue is to stop it at the source. It can be hard for parents not to give in to demands, but toy companies are making waves in producing more sustainable toys, so it is important to investigate better options that are available. (Again, check out the links below for sustainable toy sellers.)  

If none of the above meets your needs and you must buy a child a gift, be it birthday or Christmas, the best options are:  

• Books
• Colouring in books
• Puzzles
• Toys made from recycled plastics  

Will you try repurposing old toys? Or picking some up at a charity shop to jazz up your home? We would love to see and hear all your ideas!

SERC staff and students, you can share photos of your eco toy solutions in the SERC Eco Cross Campus Microsoft Team to inspire others!         

Sustainable Toy Sellers Links  

https://www.ethicalsuperstore.com  

https://www.babipur.co.uk/toys  

https://www.kidly.co.uk/categories/shops/eco-shop/eco-wood/6213  

https://www.brightminds.co.uk/collections/eco-friendly-toys    

Repurposing Ideas Links  

https://youtu.be/U--X3rgEOhA

https://www.refabdiaries.com/2012/04/repurpose-old-toys-new-grown-up-decor.html  

https://www.homestolove.com.au/how-to-make-a-dinosaur-succulent-planter-5081