Environmental-Friendly Ways to Declutter Post-Holiday Toys

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During the holiday season, families often find themselves inundated with new possessions, and the aftermath can be overwhelming. Sorting through this influx of items, particularly toys, can present a challenge. However, for parents seeking eco-friendly ways to declutter post-holidays, numerous avenues exist to dispose of unwanted toys without causing environmental harm, such as through TerraCycle.

TerraCycle, headquartered in New Jersey, offers an innovative solution by recycling toys unfit for curbside recycling. Founder and CEO Tom Szaky highlighted that the company processes these toys, transforming them into materials used for manufacturing various goods like lunchboxes and flower pots. An astonishing 3 billion toys are sold annually in the U.S., but unfortunately, most end up in landfills after just one child's use, Szaky noted.

Over the last four years, TerraCycle has launched several free toy recycling programs in the U.S., successfully diverting at least 550,000 pounds of waste from landfills by recycling more than four million toys. The company collaborates with renowned brands like Hasbro, offering shipping labels or Zero Waste Boxes for toy disposal.

The headquarters of TerraCycle Inc. are located in Trenton, New Jersey.Photo byBloomberg via Getty Images, FILE

Szaky stressed the importance of the industry's increasing concern about the fate of toys post-use, emphasizing that recycling, while beneficial, is not a complete solution. He believes that both the toy industry and consumers should advocate for better alternatives to manage plastics and waste.

Reports by experts like Lisa Ramsden from Greenpeace USA reveal that a significant portion of plastics sent for recycling ultimately ends up in landfills, highlighting the limitations of current recycling processes. Szaky suggested that consumers make informed purchasing decisions, ensuring the toys purchased are truly valued and enjoyed by their children for an extended period.

Encouraging the resale of toys and the purchase of pre-owned items can significantly reduce landfill contributions. Popular resale brands like Squishmallows, Disney, Lego, American Girl, and Barbie, particularly in categories such as stuffed animals, dolls, action figures, and learning toys, are in high demand on platforms like Poshmark.

Additionally, donating toys to charities, local groups, hospitals, children's shelters, daycare centres, or places of worship provides another beneficial option to prevent toy waste. Good Housekeeping also recommends these avenues for donating toys, promoting a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to toy disposal beyond the holiday season.