Whirli – a toy subscription platform and My Green Pod Hero – has investigated the alarming amount of toy waste that can be found after the festive season.
Whirli surveyed 1,000 UK-based parents of children up to eight years old to learn more about toy neglect following the festive season.
This eye-opening survey revealed the shocking environmental and economic cost of children’s Christmas toys.
Parents estimated each of their children received an average of 14 toys under the Christmas tree, yet 26% of these toys – meaning 25 million across the UK – are neglected by children by the end of January.
At an average cost of £32 per toy, this means toys worth £800 million are unloved by the end of January.
The explanation for toy waste during the festive period stems from gifted toys that were not age appropriate, duplicates of toys already owned or toys being too gender stereotyped for the recipient.
It follows as no surprise that of the average figure of 22 toys each child received in 2021, 57% of parents said that one or more of the toys were unwanted.
These astonishing figures expose the incredible amount of money wasted on toys, and also underline the impact of toy neglect on our planet through plastic pollution and waste in landfill.
This is why circular economy platforms like Whirli are on a mission to transform toy consumption by promoting swapping instead of shopping.
By signing up for a Whirli subscription users can access over 1,000 toys and keep them as long as they like.
Once no longer loved, the toy can be returned for another child to enjoy and swapped for something ‘new’.
This new subscription service lets you swap instead of shop, helping to divert unloved toys from landfill.
Nearly one in three parents admit to throwing away toys that are still in perfect condition.
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