Australia’s demand for toys and games is on the rise, with a growing focus on learning and development for our children. To fuel this market, it has been reported that Australia imports around 220 million toys, weighing over 200 thousand tonnes, annually. The value of the industry amounted to approximately 2.3 billion dollars in 2024. Sadly, on the other side of the joy and prosperity this industry provides, many of these toys end up as waste. In weight, just over half of imported toys are discarded, and of this over 80% end up in Australia’s landfills.
EXCEPT we can make a difference. We can choose to reuse, recirculate and recycle our toys. We can do this by sharing or exchanging our toys with friends and family, donating toys and recycling our well used toys. Sometimes, recycling toys can be a bit tricky because it takes just a little effort to separate the different materials used to make a toy.
Get involved in learning about and reducing toy waste by participating in Waste 2 Art.
This year Waste 2 Art is themed the Year of the Toys which is a FREE waste-inspired art competition and exhibition that celebrates the reuse and recycling of waste.
The Waste 2 Art competition welcomes schools, community groups and individuals to get involved and turn their rubbish into art. Entries close Monday, 5 May 2025.
Find out more information on Bathurst Regional Council’s Waste 2 Art webpage.
