Used Toys Find New Purpose for Christmas

As Christmas, a period associated with gift-giving, sees millions of toys purchased annually, a significant number also become landfill waste. Consequently, certain organizations are presenting options that diverge from acquiring new items. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council (ANBC) has undertaken the collection of both new and used unwanted toys for donation to a local charitable organization. According to the council, approximately 8,000 toys were contributed in 2023. This initiative assisted over 600 families in lowering their total Christmas expenses and prevented an estimated 7.5 tonnes of material from entering landfills. Habitat for Humanity collaborates with the council to disseminate these toys via its ReStore charity shops located throughout Northern Ireland, alongside several temporary pop-up locations within the council’s jurisdiction. Isobel Kerr, an employee of the charity, has observed a yearly rise in the demand for more economically priced toys. She stated, “With the cost of living crisis, it’s really impacted on people’s disposable income and what they can actually afford to spend on toys at Christmas.” She added, “This is a great opportunity to be able to help those in low incomes have a happy Christmas.” Alexandra Pintea, representing the Muckamore Parish Development Association, personally witnesses the extent of need for assistance among residents in the area. She mentioned that lines of individuals frequently form, awaiting the opening of the organization’s yearly Christmas pop-up shop at the local community centre. “This makes a big difference,” she remarked, explaining that people prioritize “make sure they have food, electricity, and heat, so some of them don’t even think of a Christmas list.” These ReStore shops enable individuals to avoid “stretch their budget” and acquire toys they previously believed were beyond their financial reach. Gerard Hughes, director of Cycle Recycle, a social enterprise situated in Newry, commented: “It’s not just about the money; it’s about making sure this bicycle doesn’t go into landfill as well.” Their warehouse presently holds hundreds of unwanted bicycles; while some have been donated, others were transferred from amenity sites operated by Newry, Mourne, and Down District Council. He detailed the process: a customer selects a bicycle, pays a symbolic fee, and subsequently, a certified mechanic conducts an inspection. He affirmed, “We will fully service and recondition that bike to make sure it’s safe.” December frequently represents the organization’s least active period; however, business typically increases in January as individuals donate used bicycles after receiving new ones for Christmas. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC does not assume responsibility for the content of external sites. Information on their approach to external linking is provided.