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News Index |
Toy packaging waste
Forty-one per cent of toys given as gifts this Christmas will end up lost or broken within three months. Yet their plastic packaging has a much longer lifespan, consigned to the landfill indefinitely. An estimated 800,000 tonnes of waste will be created by toy packaging alone this Christmas.
Although some wrapping is necessary to prevent damage and meet safety standards, most packaging is excessive for the size of toy it encases. The world's current top-selling toy uses 82 per cent more packaging than is required for its dimensions. This is a tactic used by manufacturers to make toys appear bigger and more appealing to children.
There are many easy ways to do your part to reduce waste this Christmas. Obviously, buying toys with minimal - and preferably recyclable - packaging is ideal. Buying second-hand toys is also a good option, as used products require no new packaging. Finding out about local, eco-friendly toy retailers is another great idea. Considering how easily children grow bored of a toy, you could also join a toy library, which enables you to rent toys; for information, visit: www.natll.org.uk.
