Kildare families can now avail of Ireland’s first-ever digital Toy Library

Families across County Kildare can now use Ireland’s first-ever digital Toy exchange Library.

The new online platform exchange library aims to tackle the increasing problem of toy waste and make playtime more sustainable and accessible for all children.

Led by a researcher at University College Cork (UCC), The Toy Library offers a free way for families to refresh toy collections without spending money and reduce waste by giving unwanted toys a new lease of life.

Explaining the aim of the project, Giorgia Anile, Founder and Director of The Toy Library, said: "We’re striving to create a future where children can explore, learn, and grow through play, all while protecting the environment for generations to come.

"By sharing toys within our communities, The Toy Library aims to tackle a significant waste problem while fostering a culture of sharing and generosity."

Ms Anile, who is also a PhD student in Human Computer Interaction at UCC's School of Applied Psychology, continued:

"We believe that by teaching children to take good care of their toys, give them away when they're no longer needed, and experience the joy of sharing, we can make a positive impact on the planet.

"We are so excited to launch and introduce the Toy Library to families across Ireland.

"We encourage families to log on to thetoylibrary.ie and explore some of toys already available, and to sign up to share your unwanted toys in your own community," Ms Anile concluded.

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STATISTICS

According to a spokesperson for UCC, while many toys still offer benefits after normal use and wear and tear, 80 per cent of all toys end up in landfills, incinerators or the ocean. 

The spokesperson said: "Research has shown that an estimated 5.5 million plastic toys are lost and discarded in Ireland each year, with that figure far higher in other countries.

"The toy industry uses 40 tonnes of plastic for every US$1 million it generates in revenue and has an excessive carbon footprint.

"The industry is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world."

They continued: "Most toys are most are made from non-biodegradable, petroleum-based plastics, leading to waste that persists in the environment for hundreds of years.

"Annually, 60 million Barbie dolls are sold, contributing emissions equivalent to burning 381 million gallons of gasoline."

"The Toy Library is designed to provide a sustainable and cost-effective solution to help reduce the waste problem of toys for families, local authorities and communities across Ireland," the spokesperson continued.

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'AMBITIOUS TARGET'

Dr Maria Kirrane, Head of UCC’s Sustainability and Climate Action Office and an advisor on the Toy Library, also commented on the project.

She said: “When considering the environmental impact of toys, it goes far beyond the toy ending up in a landfill.

"The environmental impact of plastic toys is created throughout the manufacturing process, across packaging, transportation, and marketing."

Dr Kirrane continued: "The scale of the plastics industry’s greenhouse gas emissions is staggering, with plastics on track to produce more climate change emissions than coal-fired power plants by 2030."

"UCC's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan includes an ambitious target to become a Zero Waste certified campus by 2030.  The Toy Library and its mission is an excellent example of how zero waste ambitions can become a reality."

The Toy Library is a social enterprise supported by Rethink Ireland, CESCA, Cork City Council through a waste prevention grant, Local Enterprise Office South Cork and Consortia Co.

To learn more about the Toy Library, you can visit https://www.thetoylibrary.ie/.