Recycling plastic lawn furniture and playground toys can be difficult, but with a little effort, you can dispose of these items responsibly. While many recycling programs accept a variety of plastics, items like lawn chairs, tables, and children’s playsets often pose particular challenges due to their size, shape, and the type of plastic used in the products.
Why are plastic furniture and toys so hard to recycle?
Plastic lawn furniture and playground toys are typically made from hard, durable plastics such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE, known as #2 plastic) and polypropylene (PP, or #5 plastic). While these materials are recyclable, their large size and irregular shapes can pose problems for standard recycling machines. Local curbside recycling programs and drop-off centers may not accept these bulky items because they don’t fit into sorting machines or are more difficult to handle and process than smaller plastic products like bottles and containers. This limitation often leaves consumers wondering what to do with their old outdoor furniture and toys.
Additionally, these items may contain metal parts, screws, or other components that must be removed before they can be recycled.
Local recycling centers and special collection events
If the manufacturer of your plastic furniture or toys doesn’t offer a take-back program, or there are no active collection or recycling efforts at this time, check with your local recycling center to see if they will accept your large plastic items. Visit the Earth911 Recycling Locator and enter your zip code to find locations that accept #2 or #5 hard plastics. For furniture or toys, call ahead to inquire.
Some facilities have collection days or special collection events for larger plastic items, and it’s also a good idea to contact your local waste management service to see if they offer collection of bulky recyclables or if they can point you to a facility nearby that does.
Reuse and Donate
Before recycling, consider whether you can reuse or donate your old furniture or toys – many items could find a second life with a new owner. Freecycle, Don’t buy anything, Craigslistand Facebook Marketplace is a great platform to donate items, and local schools, nurseries and community centres may also be interested in receiving gently used play equipment and furniture.
Recycling plastic lawn furniture and playground toys is more complicated than tossing them in a curbside trash can, but there are options to keep them out of landfills. Manufacturer take-back programs, special recycling events, or finding new homes for these items can have a positive impact on the environment. But what’s needed now is a concentrated effort to collect large plastic products for recycling across the country. Talk to your local representative or solid waste management office about their recycling policies and how you can get involved in collecting and processing plastics. There may be local business opportunities based on these materials that are currently being discarded. Sell ​​for a few hundred dollars a ton was collected.
To learn more about recycling and sustainable living, visit Earth911.com. Let’s reduce waste together and promote a circular economy. By following these tips, you can dispose of your old plastic lawn furniture and playground toys responsibly and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
