Christmas containers are being set up at five Household Recycling Centres across Mid and East Antrim, so pre-loved toys can be given a new home this festive season.
This Christmas, why not give those toys that are lying around the house to those who find this time of year more challenging.
For the second year running, Council are working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, East Belfast Mission and our a new charity, Drop Inn Ministries to deliver a toy donation scheme through HRC’s at Waveney Road, Ballymena, Glenarm, Redlands in Larne, Larne South, Islandmagee and Sullatober in Carrickfergus.
The scheme will run between Monday 16th November and Friday 18th December. Residents from the borough, and beyond, are being invited to drop off pre-loved and unwanted toys into a specially designated container on each of the sites.
The Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “We hope that through this scheme, more perfectly good toys will be re-used rather than just being thrown away. We are supporting the waste hierarchy which promotes prevention of waste and re-using, where possible. “The ideal toys that we would be looking for would be: kids bicycles, scooters, plastic seesaws, small plastic slides etc, games, vtech toys, jigsaws, books, dolls, robots, most plastic/wooden toys etc, in good working order. We will not accept soft plush toys e.g. teddy bears.”
On arrival at the HRC site attendants will direct you to the container and Council will then donate these to Habitat for Humanity in Ballymena, East Belfast Mission (Restore shop in Larne) and Drop Inn Charity Shop in Carrickfergus who will provide access to the public to purchase these unwanted and pre-loved toys, at a very reasonable price.
A spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Christmas Toy Container at this time of year which can be so challenging for families on low incomes. We look forward to being able to offer families the opportunity to get good, quality toys at low cost.”
A spokesperson for East Belfast Mission, added: “Larne Restore are delighted to be part of this great partnership at a time when we should all be thinking of others.”
Drop Inn Charity, concluded: “Drop Inn are delighted to be working with Council on this waste-reducing project, especially during these challenging times.”
Over 8.5 million toys are thrown away each year in the UK which adds to the landfill tonnage we through away in one year.
By donating unwanted/pre-loved toys, it’s a win-win. Not only will you get to clear some space in your home, your old toys will be given a new home with a family that may find it harder at this time of the year.
As a reminder, residents kindly dropping off the toys will need to do this without assistance from our site attendants, in line with the current restrictions.
Christmas in Mid and East Antrim will look a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still rediscover the spirit of MEA by supporting this excellent scheme and remembering to shop local to support businesses in the borough.
If you have any queries please contact waste.helpdesk@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or alternatively phone 0300 124 5000, Option 0.