Give preloved toys new life this Christmas

‘Christmas Containers’ are being installed at each of Council’s five recycling centres where residents can donate unwanted toys.

The containers will be open from Friday 22 November until Friday 6 December at Waveney Road, Sullatober, Redlands, Larne South and Glenarm Household Recycling Centres.

Council will donate all the toys received to Restore (Habitat for Humanity) in Ballymena, Restore (East Belfast Mission) in Larne and Blythswood Ireland in Carrickfergus.

The toys will then be made available to purchase at very reasonable prices to families who find this time of year that little bit more challenging.

A spokesperson for Restore in Larne, said: “We are delighted to be part of this great partnership at a time when we should all be thinking of others.”

Blythswood Ireland, based in Carrickfergus, said: “Blythswood are delighted to partner with the council on this reuse initiative. 

"Everyone wins with recycling especially those that will receive the toys. I would encourage us all to be generous of spirit this Christmas.”

A spokesperson for Habitat for Humanity, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Christmas Toy Container 2019 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.”

Council hopes that through this scheme more perfectly good toys will be re-used rather than just being thrown away and help everyone #FindYourChristmas spirit.

The ideal toys that Council would be looking for would are 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. Soft plush toys will not be accepted e.g. teddy bears.

If you have any queries please contact the Council Waste Helpdesk by E: waste.helpdesk@midandeastantrim.gov.uk or T: 0300 124 5000, Option 0.