The Toy Library is now open in Cork and it’s a genius idea for parents of small kids
The majority of toys end up in landfills, incinerators or oceans.
Now an innovative Digital Toy Library aims to revolutionise the way families and children across Ireland access toys… and it’s all completely free,
Ireland’s first digital toy exchange library aims to tackle the increasing problem of toy waste and make playtime more sustainable and accessible for all children.
Padraig Carroll and his son Lucas at the launch of The Toy Library.
Led by a researcher at University College Cork (UCC), The Toy Library offers a free way for families to refresh toy collections without spending money and reduce waste by giving unwanted toys a new lease of life within their own neighbourhood.
Cool. So how does it work?
The Toy Library invites families to share, swap or find toys via a free online platform. Families can list a pre-loved toy and give it to another child or find a toy to give to their child.
The Toy Library supports families to freely source and share toys, ensuring that children have continuous access to exciting and sustainable play experiences while reducing the environmental impact and expense of purchasing new toys.
Right now the collection is still growing, but the more families who sign up to share toys, the more choice there will be in every area.
The best bit? If your kids only play with something for a day, you haven’t shelled out hundreds of euros to buy it – back to the library it goes.
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Research has shown that an estimated 5.5m plastic toys are lost and discarded in Ireland each year. To make matters worse, Ireland has highest plastic waste per head in EU and one of lowest recycling rates.
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The toy industry is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world and most toys are made from non-biodegradable, petroleum-based plastics, leading to waste that persists in the environment for hundreds of years. Annually, 60 million Barbie dolls are sold, contributing emissions equivalent to burning 381 million gallons of gasoline. Yikes.
“We’re striving to create a future where children can explore, learn, and grow through play, all while protecting the environment for generations to come.” said Giorgia Anile, Founder and Director of The Toy Library and PhD student in Human Computer Interaction at UCC School of Applied Psychology.
“By sharing toys within our communities, The Toy Library aims to tackle a significant waste problem while fostering a culture of sharing and generosity.
“We believe that by teaching children to take good care of their toys, give them away when they’re no longer needed, and experience the joy of sharing, we can make a positive impact on the planet.”
