Difficult recycling: Because toys are made from many different materials - plastics 1-7, metal, glass, computer components, and more - they are incredibly difficult to recycle and in many cases are not accepted by recycling facilities.

Some toy companies are taking steps to become more sustainable.It's part of the Danish company's pledge to use sustainable materials in its products and packaging by 2030.Toy company MGA Entertainment, which is behind L.O.L Surprise!, is trying to cut back on the waste produced from packaging its dolls.

Rather than chucking out an old plastic train set if it's damaged, it's worth checking with your local recycling centre if they'll take it.Plastic toys and games can't be collected as part of your household recycling scheme, according to the Recycle Now campaign group. If you're a parent, then you'll know how tricky it can be to avoid buying them, whether it's diggers, dolls houses or building bricks.The UK's toy industry is massive - last year consumers spent £370m on them.But environmentalists say this is contributing to the amount of plastic ending up in landfill and oceans. Making toys out of recycled plastic might not be the answer either. Plastic toys can end up in landfill and in the ocean

Other clear plastic packaging: Plastic toys - these are currently not recyclable: Non-black plant pots: ... Use left over washing up water to rinse your plastic pots and tubs before recycling. Plastic patrol: 'I've pulled engines out of the water' These are external links and will open in a new window

McDonald's in … However, the firm has pivoted to place more of a focus on take-backs via post and has also developed a recycling service for PPE. "Lauren says she does try and take a bag of old toys to charity shops regularly and has a "one-in, one-out policy" when it comes to toys in the house. "Avoiding plastic altogether and buying toys out of sustainable materials could be the answer.

Electronic toys and games are not covered by the scheme.Users of the scheme will be incentivised to keep donating through a rewards programme, whereby they receive 100 loyalty points for every kilogram of toys dropped off.

for individual use only. "Whilst we don't know exactly how much of the plastic that ends up in landfill comes from toys, green campaigners say that consumers can help reduce the amount in circulation.Friends of the Earth says there are ways to cut back on buying plastic toys - things like toy libraries, passing toys on, buying less, borrowing off friends and sharing more.Greenpeace UK told the BBC it doesn't count plastic toys as 'single-use plastics' as they can be used time and time again. "Recycled plastics are rarely able to be used in the process of manufacturing toys due to the uncertainty of the chemical composition of recycled plastic," Natasha says. "It's not just online auction sites that have grown in popularity when it comes to reselling toys, parents often post ads on social media groups offering up toys for free or a small price.Last year a study found some toys tested didn't meet the most up-to-date safety guidelines. "Toys are far from single use plastics, as we know from research that they stay within a household for approximately 10 years and tend to then be passed on to charities, friends and families," Natasha Crookes from the British Toy and Hobby Association says.The organisation claims many toys will last between 15-20 years before they enter the waste stream. Lauren Tedaldi says her three-year-old daughter Mirella gets given loads of toys from friends and family. Lauren Tedaldi says her daughter prefers bright plastic toys Where to donate used toys. Small Foot 11302 Bathing toy submarine, made of 100% recycled plastic, approx. "When it comes to toys though, she says she still buys plastic, but only second-hand. "I know charity shops can recycle what they can't sell. "We try to save the big toys for special occasions, but it's hard and it's easy to end up with lots and lots of toys.

Bettina Maidment says she never buys brand new toys for her two boys Mark Gardiner, of the Chartered Trading Standards Institute, said: "Any goods that are bought second-hand are not going to have the same safety assurances. A poll by the British Heart Foundation found that more than a quarter of parents admit to throwing away toys that are in perfect working order.It spoke to more than 2,000 people and found children have an average of four toys they've never played with. Subscribe below to recieve updates direct to your inboxToy giant Hasbro has launched a UK-wide take-back and recycling scheme for toys, as part of its partnership with recycling firm TerraCycle.Hasbro is one of the world's largest toy companies and the owner of brands including Play Doh, My Little Pony and TransformersUnder the scheme, members of the public will be able to drop off their used toys at any one of 200 collection points, hosted at locations such as supermarkets and community centres.TerraCycle will then take the collected items for separating and shredding, ready for use in new products such as outdoor furniture and planters.Toys from any Hasbro brand will be accepted, with users of the scheme encouraged to drop-off dolls, action figures and other rigid toys, along with plush toys and board games. "Like most kids, the brighter and the crazier - the better. 27 x 14 x 12 cm, in attractive coloured packaging 3.8 out of 5 stars 28 £8.99 £ 8 . This is because they are easy to sort and there are well developed markets for the recyclate. ... is a registered UK Charity No. The pre-school that's swapped plastic toys for cardboard and train tickets

Note: The UK has a much higher use of HDPE bottles than most countries due to its use for containing milk. Consumers are invited to box the waste up, request and print a label from the website, before sending it off to TerraCycle for recycling. No other reproduction or distribution is permitted without prior written consent. Greenpeace UK told the BBC it doesn't count plastic toys as 'single-use plastics' as they can be used time and time again.