Tesco has launched plastic toy recycling points across a number of its UK stores as part of a campaign which turns broken toys into books and reading resources for schools.
The UK’s largest supermarket has joined Wastebuster’s Recycle to Read campaign in a trial which will run from 4 September to 4 December, encouraging consumers to recycle their toys via collection points placed in selected Tesco stores.
Backed by global toy and games company Hasbro, the recycling initiative aims to drive a circular solution for unwanted or broken hard plastic toys which are notoriously hard to recycle.
Families are first encouraged to rehome toys through giving to friends, family or local charities. Broken toys can then be taken to Tesco and recycled in-store – where they are collected, cleaned and turned into plastic pellets, before being used to create new items such as coat hangers, chairs and coffee machines.
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Rehomed and recycled plastic toys can then be registered via the Wastebuster website, where Planet Care Points can be redeemed by participating schools.
“We are always looking for new ways to remove, reduce, reuse and recycle plastic in our business, so we’re delighted to be able to support the Recycle to Read campaign as a way to help our customers do more of this at home,” said Tesco category director Ally Rose.
“As well as trialling a new way we can work together on hard-to-recycle plastics, it also helps to give children greater access to reading.”
“Recycle to Read supports families in learning about the environmental benefits of toy rehoming and recycling, while rewarding them with books for taking part,” said Wastebuster founder Katy Newnham.
“What better way can we inspire and empower children to make pro-environmental choices, than by storytelling with their favourite characters and giving them an opportunity to send their unwanted toys on a new adventure that is good for the planet?”
