After all, an estimate in 2022 pegged roughly 80 percent of all toys with the fate of becoming eventual landfill fodder . Fortunately, passing along a stuffie is simple to do. We'll guide you through the process.
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How to donate stuffed animals:
The Virginia-based Gleaning For The World has a program called The Teddy Bear Brigade , which has thus far rehomed over 575,000 stuffed animals in the U.S. and across 30 countries.
Teddy bears and other stuffed animals may provide some sense of emotional support to children. This can be especially helpful for some medical patients, those displaced due to war or weather events , and those in other situations where emotional support is needed.
According to The Spruce , there are still other ways to donate your stuffed animals. You can call your local hospitals, doctor's offices, daycare centers, shelters, and police and fire departments to see if they accept stuffed animal donations for families in need. You can also give away your stuffed animals on your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook , or donate them at a thrift store.
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How to recycle old stuffed animals:
According to the Paris-based stuffed animal brand La Pelucherie , over 8 million stuffed animals have reached the point of becoming waste, many of which are past the point of being suitable for donation. Depending on the materials used to make the stuffed animal, they may, however, be eligible for recycling.
For those with the financial means to do so, TerraCycle is a highly-rated recycling company that offers a zero-waste box specifically designed to recycle stuffed animals. TerraCycle sells small, medium, and large boxes for your stuffed animals in need of recycling, and upon receiving your shipment, TerraCycle will sort the raw materials before selling them to a manufacturing company for their next use.
If a specialized recycling center refuses your old stuffed animals, you can upcycle and repurpose them. La Pelucherie says you can use a stuffed animal to: create a plush bag; utilize the cushioning to bolster your couch cushions ; create wall art and other decorations with the old stuffed animals; replace the stuffing with heavy material like sand to create an adorable doorstop; or make slippers with some crafty knowhow.
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