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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Petra Stock

Outgrown but not outworn: how toy swaps are tackling waste in Australia, one teddy at a time

Child holding a box of Lego
Toy swaps, toy libraries and charities offer preloved toys a second life and an alternative to landfill. Composite: Getty Images

Australians throw away about 27m toys each year. It’s not just a niche issue – about 87,000 tonnes are sent to landfill every year.

About half (51%) of new toys sold become waste within a year, according to research commissioned by the Australian Toy Association and Sustainability Victoria.

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