Recycle Week – What to do with baby and child items that are no longer needed

This week is Recycle Week. Up and down the country, numerous businesses, families and individuals will be thinking about how they can improve their own habits when it comes to sustainability and recycling.  

This year’s recycling week theme is ‘Let’s Get Real’, which is all about challenging perceptions and myths that surround recycling. As a parent, you will probably be used to lots of clutter that was once useful for your child, that is now lying around unloved – but you might be unsure about what to do with it! 

Let’s take a look at some common items, and the most sustainable way to get rid of them. 

Toys 

Good quality toys will last for a long time, so when your child grows out of them you may want to keep them on hand for their younger siblings if they have any. You might have younger children in the wider family that you could pass them on to, or your friends may have children who would be able to give them a new lease of life. Also, local playgroups, nurseries and children’s centres might be grateful of a dontion – just check first! You could also donate them to a charity shop, or sell them at a local car boot sale. 

Books 

Although they are often made of paper, books are more difficult to recycle because of the glue used to bind them. As with toys, it would probably be best to sell, pass down or donate books. When young children are learning to read independently, they may enjoy revisiting old books, so it might be a good idea to keep a few tucked away for the future! 

Cups and bowls 

Plastic cups and bowls can be recycled with household waste if they are made of easily recyclable materials such as PET. If these are unused or lightly used and remain in good condition, a charity shop, friend or family member might be grateful of a donation.  

Clothes 

Many areas have clothes recycling bins at local waste and recycling centres, and many others are dotted around – often outside larger supermarkets. If clothes are in good condition, they could also be donated to charity shops or sent in the fundraising bags that maybe be regularly posted through your front door. They could also be passed down to younger siblings and other family members, or easily sold online through reselling apps and sites such as Vinted, Depop and Ebay.