#Australia - #ToySwaps!

Toy Swaps are happening across Australia in all year round​

- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
- Wollongong

"Toy Swap Australia is an initiative by the Joy of Giving Network, created to spark a movement around swapping. It's about rethinking how we utilise resources like toys, fostering community connections, and minimising our impact on the planet.

​Toy Swap brings families and children together to exchange preloved toys, share stories, and enjoy the joy of giving. Each swap is more than just fun — it helps keep toys out of landfill, saves resources, and teaches kids the value of reuse and caring for the environment.

Everyone can be part of it. Whether you're a school, local council, community group, or a parent who wants to make a difference, you can host your own Toy Swap. We’re here to help with ideas, tools, and support.

Join the Toy Swap movement and help build a future where sharing is normal, waste is reduced, and every toy gets a second life."

FMI:
https://www.toyswap.com.au/

#SolarPunkSunday #ToySwap #ToySwapsAustralia #CircularToyEconomy #ReduceWaste #SharingToys

Good to know... Especially if one is looking to donate a used stuffie to a #ToyLibrary or #ToySwap!

How to Wash #StuffedAnimals the Right Way

Keep your child's favorite #toys looking brand new.

By Madeline Buiano
Updated on October 17, 2025

"From their favorite bunny rabbit to the plush teddy bear they play with once a year, many children have a collection of stuffed animals they display with pride. But these beloved toys—even ones that sit on the shelf waiting to be played with—can quickly build up with dust, dirt, germs, and dander. Not only can allergens and germs be potentially harmful to your child, but dirtiness can also degrade the overall longevity of their treasured keepsakes. Keep their stuffed animals looking as beautiful as the day you got them with these cleaning tips for washing in the machine or by hand. "

Learn more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/how-to-wash-stuffed-animals-8424772

#SolarPunkSunday #ToyCare #CleaningStuffies #CircularToyEconomy

#PlayCycle - What is a #ToyLibrary?

"Toy libraries are community resources to help children learn and grow through play. Similar to a library of books, a toy library enables families to check out toys, enjoy them, and return them before borrowing more. Toy libraries benefit children, families, and communities by:

ENCOURAGING PLAY- The American Academy of Pediatrics says that play is essential to development because it contributes to the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and youth (Ginsburg 2007). Toy libraries help facilitate imaginative play by providing access to hundreds of toys that children might otherwise not encounter because of limitations due to finances or space. With a toy library, children can borrow toys that spark their imagination and simply return toys when they are ready to explore something new.

SAVING MONEY AND PREVENTING CLUTTER- According to a Toy Industry Association report, the average family spends $581 per year on toys. One fifth of households surveyed had over 100 toys. A toy library allows families to save money on buying individual toys and also reduce clutter by returning toys to the library when they have finished enjoying them.

REDUCING WASTE- The lifecycle for toys after purchase usually involves play for a few weeks or possibly years, followed by being thrown away or donated. Toy libraries help reduce toy waste and promote a circular economy. Toy library toys have their useful lives extended by years while they are enjoyed by children from multiple households. They also reduce the number of toys that each household needs to buy and store.

It is estimated that there are over 300 toy libraries in the United States, but they can still be hard to come by. Toy libraries are found all over the world, sometimes supported by local government bodies or as part of local public libraries. One thing they all have in common is the mission to encourage growth and development through play. We are thrilled to join the assembly of toy libraries making play accessible for children all over the world."

Learn more:
https://www.playcycle.org/toylibraries

#SolarPunkSunday #CircularEconomy #CircularToyEconomy #SharingToys #SharingEconomy #EncouragingPlay #ToyLibraries #MorePlayTimeLessScreenTime

Where to Donate #StuffedAnimals, #ActionFigures, and Other #Toys

Instead of tossing your kids' old playthings, donate gently used items to one of these organizations.

By Jasmine Suarez and Blythe Copeland
Updated on February 11, 2026

"If you find yourself overrun by stuffed animals, outgrown toys, never-opened games, and like-new books, it's time to donate items to a charity. And in most cases, it's easy to find a great home for your gently used items.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I donate items that need repair?

Some organizations can take goods in any condition and repair or clean as needed; others require only items in like-new condition. Repair stuffed animals before donating them, make sure toys and puzzles have all their pieces, and clean plastic toys when possible.

How do I wash stuffed animals before donating them?

Most stuffed animals can be washed in the washing machine; put them in a pillowcase or delicates bag for extra protection. If the label dictates hand washing, remove the stuffing before washing the outside of the stuffed animal.

How do I wash plastic toys?

Most small plastic toys (including loose Legos) can be washed in the washing machine or dishwasher; larger items can be wiped with disinfecting wipes or washed with warm water and a gentle soap.

What’s the best way to donate stuffed animals if I don’t have a local drop-off spot?

If you haven't had any luck contacting local organizations about donations, consider calling 211, a national number dedicated to essential community services. They can connect you with social service organizations to ask about specific donations. This service is run by United Way in most regions, in collaboration with local nonprofits and other public agencies."

Learn more:
https://www.marthastewart.com/8117000/where-to-donate-toys

#SolarPunkSunday #ToySharing #DonatingUsedToys #CircularEconomy #CircularToyEconomy #ToysForTots #CradlesToCrayons #GreenDrop #DonationTown #SAFE #StuffAnimalsForEmergencies

#Ireland - #SwapAndPlay Events

"Local Authorities and Conscious Corporations from all over the Republic of Ireland, together with The #ToyLibrary, are offering their communities the space and the time to adopt a new consumption paradigm: the #CircularEconomy.

Our Impact So Far

The global social impact we achieved with Swap&Play in-person events alone, and their equivalents.

♥️ Participants - 3,032
🧸 Rehomed Toys - 5,982"

Learn more:
https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/p/events

#SolarPunkSunday #RehomedToys #ToySwaps #ToyLibraries #CircularToyEconomy

#ToySwaps and the #CircularToyEconomy: How to Raise Waste-Free Kids

Ash Gregg, July 24, 2025

"Kids outgrow toys fast — sometimes faster than we can recycle the packaging. What starts as a sweet moment of play often ends up as clutter, then waste.

Behind those bright colors and fun shapes lies a hidden environmental truth: the toy industry is one of the most wasteful in the world. Most toys are made of plastic. Few are designed to last. And almost none are built with end-of-life reuse in mind.

But there’s a better way — and it doesn’t mean denying kids joy or imagination. In fact, it can inspire more of both.

Welcome to the circular toy economy: a movement built on #sharing, #reusing, #fixing, and reimagining play. It’s not just good for the planet — it’s good for your home, your budget, and your children’s values."

1. The Hidden Impact of the Toy Industry
2. What Is the Circular Toy Economy?
3. Host or Join a #ToySwap
4. Create a #ToyLibrary or #BorrowingCloset
5. Embrace #ToyRotation (Minimalist Parenting Hack)
6. Choose #Sustainable, Open-Ended Toys
7. #Repair or #Repurpose Before You Recycle
8. Talk to Kids About Waste and Sharing
Final Thoughts: Raising Planet-Protectors

Read more:
https://uberartisan.com/zero-waste/toy-swaps-and-the-circular-toy-economy-how-to-raise-waste-free-kids/

#SolarPunkSunday #CircularEconomy #ToySharing #ReduceReuseRecycle