Quick Answer
⚠ Sometimes - depends on type and local programme. Hard plastic toys (LEGO, action figures) typically cannot go in curbside recycling because they are mixed-material. Donate working toys to charity. TerraCycle has a paid box for soft plastic toys.
Where to recycle plastic toys
The fastest way to find recycling for plastic toys near you: - Use the eCycling Central recycling locator: /tools/recycling-locator - filter by waste type - Check the Top 50 US Electronics Recyclers for major operators - Local council websites maintain up-to-date drop-off lists for non-electronic household waste
What's involved
Hard plastic toys (LEGO, action figures) typically cannot go in curbside recycling because they are mixed-material. Donate working toys to charity. TerraCycle has a paid box for soft plastic toys.
Special handling and hazards
Battery-operated toys must have batteries removed first - separate hazardous-waste stream.
If you live in the United States, household hazardous waste (HHW) collection days are operated by every county - check your local solid waste authority for the next scheduled date. UK residents: check your council's bulky-waste collection rules.
What happens to recycled plastic toys
When plastic toys enters the proper recycling stream, the materials follow this path:
- Aggregation at a Material Recovery Facility (MRF) or specialist processor
- Sorting by composition - automated for high-volume streams (paper, plastic), manual for low-volume specialist streams
- Cleaning and processing - shredding, washing, melting, or chemical separation as the material requires
- Re-introduction to manufacturing - new products, packaging, infrastructure materials
For plastic toys specifically, the recycled material typically becomes new consumer products in the same category, or is downcycled into industrial-grade applications (insulation, building aggregates, road surfacing).
Environmental impact of throwing plastic toys in the trash
When plastic toys ends up in landfill instead of recycling: - The material is permanently removed from the circular economy - Landfill space is consumed - estimated at $30-80 per tonne in disposal costs that taxpayers fund - Hazardous components leach into groundwater over time
For perspective, the United States generates approximately 292 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per year (EPA 2024). Items like plastic toys make up a measurable percentage of this stream and represent low-hanging fruit for reducing landfill volume.
Reuse options before recycling
Before sending plastic toys to recycling, consider: - Donation if the item is intact and functional (charity shops, Freecycle, Facebook Marketplace) - Repair if practical - the second-hand value may exceed the recycling value - Repurpose for a different use (storage, craft material, garden use) - Sell to specialist secondhand buyers if value is high enough
The waste hierarchy (defined in the EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC and broadly mirrored in US state law) ranks reuse above recycling for environmental and economic reasons.
What about composting?
Composting is not appropriate for plastic toys - the material does not break down under typical composting conditions and may contain non-organic contaminants.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put plastic toys in my regular recycling bin? Sometimes - it depends on the specific type and your local programme. Check your council/municipality recycling guidelines.
Are there manufacturer or retailer takeback programmes for plastic toys? Hard plastic toys (LEGO, action figures) typically cannot go in curbside recycling because they are mixed-material. Donate working toys to charity. TerraCycle has a paid box for soft plastic toys.
Is plastic toys curbside-recyclable in the UK? UK curbside collection rules vary by council (363 different schemes). The general guidance for plastic toys is the same as the US answer above, but check your specific council's recycling A-Z guide for definitive local rules. WRAP UK (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) maintains national guidance at recyclenow.com.
Can I recycle plastic toys in California specifically? California has the strictest e-waste and recycling laws in the US (see California Electronics Recycling Law 2026). The general answer above applies, with stricter enforcement and broader collection infrastructure.
Sources and further reading - US EPA Sustainable Materials Management programme (2024 update) - WRAP UK recycle.now A-Z guidance - TerraCycle Zero Waste Box programme inventory - Local authority waste collection guidance (UK 363 councils, US 3,143 counties) - EU Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC