When toys pile up at home and end up unused, most families choose to throw them away. Have you ever been reminded of any toy recycling program? But here’s the reality: every year, the world generates around 5 million tons of toy waste, and most plastic toys take centuries to degrade — polluting soil and oceans.
As part of Chengji, a top toy supplier, I believe our mission goes beyond making safe and fun toys. We also want to help solve the challenge of toy sustainability. Today, let’s talk about why toy recycling matters, how different toys should be recycled, and what Chengji is doing in its own green journey.
Why Toy Recycling Is a Must
One toy may seem small, but its environmental impact is huge:
According to the European Environment Agency, 70% of discarded toys are plastic, which, if mishandled, breaks down into microplastics that enter the food chain.
Wooden and plush toys mixed with general waste and incinerated can release harmful gases.
For parents, recycling reduces clutter and waste.
For businesses, it shows social responsibility.
For the planet, it helps fight plastic pollution.
At Chengji, we see environmental value from production to recycling. That’s why we continue to develop eco-friendly toys and support recycling initiatives.
Why Toy Recycling Is a Must
One toy may seem small, but its environmental impact is huge:
- According to the European Environment Agency, 70% of discarded toys are plastic, which, if mishandled, breaks down into microplastics that enter the food chain.
- Wooden and plush toys mixed with general waste and incinerated can release harmful gases.
For parents, recycling reduces clutter and waste.
For businesses, it shows social responsibility.
For the planet, it helps fight plastic pollution.
At Chengji, we see environmental value from production to recycling. That’s why we continue to develop eco-friendly toys and support recycling initiatives.
How to Recycle Different Types of Toys
Not all toys are the same. Correct recycling ensures toys are reused or disposed of responsibly.
Plastic Toys: Sort and Deliver
Building blocks and plastic dolls are usually recyclable. First, clean them and remove any non-plastic parts (like screws or fabric). Then place them into plastic recycling bins.
Soft PVC toys (e.g., squeeze toys) often contain additives, and some programs won’t accept them — check local guidelines.
Chengji has set up “old toy recycling points” in 10 Chinese cities to collect our own plastic toys, which are then disinfected, refurbished, and donated to charities.
Wooden or Straw Toys: Prioritize Second Life
Wooden blocks and straw-based toys are natural materials:
- Good condition → resell, donate, or pass on.
- Slightly damaged → repair and reuse.
- Unusable → compost bin or biomass recycling.
Chengji’s straw block series, made from agricultural waste, biodegrades in 3–6 months and has become a popular “eco-friendly bestseller” in European supermarkets. Parents often say they’re more willing to buy toys that can decompose.
Plush & Fabric Toys: Sanitize Before Recycling
Plush toys shouldn’t be thrown away directly:
- Washable → machine wash with mild detergent, air dry.
- Non-washable → clean with alcohol wipes.
- Donation → only through verified charities.
Recycling → fabric goes into textile bins; polyester filling as general waste; natural cotton can be composted.
Chengji’s Environmental Commitment: Cutting Carbon at the Source
For Chengji, toy recycling is just one part of sustainability. True impact starts at the production stage:
☀️Eco Materials: Straw-based toys and corn starch biodegradable packaging (degrades in 6 months, with plant-based ink).
☀️ Green Energy: A rooftop solar power station supplies clean energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by about 800 tons per year.
☀️Low-Carbon Logistics: Centralized transportation + reusable packaging to shrink carbon footprints.
These efforts have been recognized by environmental organizations and welcomed by buyers. For example, a European cross-border e-commerce client reported that “eco-friendly packaging” was repeatedly praised by parents, boosting repeat purchase rates by 12%.
Looking ahead, Chengji will launch more eco-toys and expand the Toy Recycling Program globally — leaving a greener world for the next generation.
Take Action: Give Toys More Value
Toys bring joy to children, but they shouldn’t become a burden to the planet. Parents, brands, wholesalers, and retailers all have a role to play:
Choose eco-friendly toys.
Recycle toys properly.
Support sustainable brands.
Small actions add up to big change.
♻️ Have old toys to recycle? Want to learn more about Chengji’s eco-toys? Contact us today.
