Global children’s toy company Spin Master, responsible for Paw Patrol, has expanded its recycling program to accept all brands of old, worn-out toys.
From this month, customers in Australia can ship their old broken toys for free via waste management company TerraCycle or drop them off at 40 Toyworld stores nationwide.
“Toys are often made from several materials including metals, plastics, plush and rubber, said Jean Bailliard, GM of TerraCycle Australia.
“Items made from a complex mix of materials require manual sortation and special recycling technology, often too costly for curbside recycling.”
Bailliard said the partnership could provide an end-of-life solution for toys that would otherwise take hundreds of years to break down in landfills.
The toy recycling program debuted last year to provide a free recycling solution for Paw Patrol Toys in the country. With most toys ending up in landfills, the company has decided to offer a solution for the entire toy industry.
“We firmly believe that toys and playtime are integral to every child’s development,” said Geoff Oliver, MD at Spin Master.
“However, given the vast majority end up in landfills, we felt it was imperative to provide an end-of-life solution for toys that aren’t kerbside recyclable.”
The program, however, does not accept books, playdough, slime, pens, pencils, crayons, paint brushes, board games, wooden toys, battery-operated toys, or oversized toys.
Sven Karlsson, GM of Toyworld Australia, said they hope to expand the recycling program to all of their 120+ stores in the future.
“Toyworld is committed to minimising our impact on the environment. With nearly 40 pilot stores joining the TerraCycle recycling program, it is a fantastic step forward for our group,” he said.
The toy company said Covid safety measures are in place to ensure Aussie families can drop off their toys safely.
