Since the launch of the Toy Container Appeal, over one tonne of toys have been donated - and there is still under two weeks to go.
In November, Mid and East Antrim Borough Council invited residents across the borough to donate pre-loved and unwanted toys to our five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) which would then be given a new home this festive season.
Toys have been donated at Waveney Road, Ballymena HRC, Redlands HRC, Glenarm HRC, Larne South (Islandmagee), HRC and Sullatober, Carrickfergus HRC, where we have a dedicated Christmas Toy Container at each site.
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “We hope that through this scheme more perfectly good toys will be re-used rather than just being thrown away. We are supporting the waste hierarchy which promotes prevention of waste and re-using, where possible.
“The ideal toys that we would be looking for would be: kids bicycles, scooters, plastic seesaws, small plastic slides etc, games, vtech toys, jigsaws, books, dolls, robots, most plastic/wooden toys etc, in good working order. We will not accept soft plush toys e.g. teddy bears.”
Council has been working with Habitat for Humanity, Restore in Ballymena, who have seen the toys flying off the shelves and East Belfast Mission and Restore in Larne, who are generating funds for their charity, and providing lower cost toys for families across the borough. More recently, Council has also been working with Larne Community Care Centre who have gifted the toys to local families in need, along with Carrick Community Forum who have also been gifting the toys to families in the Carrickfergus area.
A spokesperson for East Belfast Mission, added: “Larne Restore are delighted to be part of this great partnership at a time when we should all be thinking of others.” Over 8.5 million toys are thrown away each year in the UK which adds to the landfill tonnage we through away in one year.
By donating unwanted/pre-loved toys, it’s a win-win. Not only will you get to clear some space in your home, your old toys will be given a new home with a family that may find it harder at this time of the year.
As a reminder, residents kindly dropping off the toys will need to do this without assistance from our site attendants, in line with the current restrictions.
The scheme will run until Friday 18th December.
If you have any queries please contact waste.helpdesk@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or alternatively phone 0300 124 5000, Option 0.