Last Updated on March 9, 2023 by
It’s hard to say goodbye to our favorite childhood toys, but eventually, they all reach the end of their life cycle. When it’s time to let go of your old ride-on toy, don’t just toss your old ride-on toys in the trash! Recycling is an important part of being a responsible citizen of the world. In this blog post, we will teach you how to recycle your old ride-on toy safely and environmentally friendly. But before you get on with the process, it’s important to know the state your ride-on is in.
Understanding your ride-on:
One of the first things you need to do when considering recycling your ride-on toys is to know the state of your ride-on. How long has it been since you last powered it up? Does it still work? Is it broken? One of the best ways to do this is to create a checklist for your ride-on toys.
– Check for cracks, damage, or rust on the outside of the toy.
– Inspect all of the wiring to see if there are any exposed wires that could be hazardous.
– Test all of the batteries to see if they still work. If not, you will need to replace them.
– Make sure all wheels are in good condition and not worn down after taking from the toy box.
After a proper assessment, you need to determine if your ride is in good condition or can no longer be used. Usually, ride-on toys that are still in good condition can be donated to charity. However, if your ride-on is no longer in a playable state, then it’s time to recycle it.
Properly recycling your ride-on:
The best way to recycle your old ride-on toy is by taking it apart and recycling the individual parts. This might seem daunting, but we promise it’s not as difficult as it sounds! Plus, you’ll feel really good about yourself when you’re done. Here’s how to do it:
– Start by removing all of the batteries from the toy. If they are rechargeable, you must ensure they are disposed of properly. The rules of proper disposal of rechargeable batteries differ from state to state. For example: in California, you can recycle rechargeable batteries at Best Buy or Call-to-Action locations. On the other hand, in New York, you can recycle them through the Earth911 website. Look up specific recycling locations depending on your state and ensure that you dispose of the electric batteries properly.
Disposing of the plastics:
Once you are done with the electric batteries, it’s time for the plastics. Start by taking the plastic body of the ride-on toy and placing it in a recycling bin. Most plastics are accepted at most recycling facilities, but there might be a few exceptions depending on your location. For example, New York does not recycle Styrofoam through their regular curbside pick-up program. However, you can take your Styrofoam to specific drop-off locations like The UPS Store or Mail Boxes.
Recycling the metal:
After you have recycled the plastics, it’s time for the metals. Start by removing any screws or nails holding the metal parts together. Once the screws are removed, you can place the metal parts in a separate pile for recycling. You can recycle metals through most curbside pick-up programs or drop-off locations.
Responsibly disposing of the ride-on: After you have recycled all the parts, you must dispose of the ride-on toy responsibly. The best way to do this is by taking it to a local landfill or hazardous waste facility. This might seem like a lot of work, but recycling your old ride-on toys is important for the environment.
While disposing of your ride-on toys is not difficult, there are certain precautions you must take while disposing of the parts of the ride-on.
-When dealing with electric batteries, make sure you dispose of them properly depending on the state you live in.
-For plastics, check if your state has any specific recycling location as some states don’t have the regular curbside pick up for recycling plastics.
-For metals, most of the time, they can be recycled through a curbside pick-up or drop-off location, but it’s always best to check with your local recycling center first.
-And finally, when disposing of the ride itself, take it to a landfill or hazardous waste facility to avoid hurting the environment.
In addition, don’t forget your safety when dismantling the ride-on. Since ride-on toys contain a ton of plastic and metal components, there is always a high chance that you will develop cuts or bruises on your hands. To avoid this, we recommend wearing gloves and long-sleeved shirts while taking the toy apart.
We know that some of you might be thinking, “Why go through all this trouble when I can just throw my old ride-on in the trash?” And while we understand where you’re coming from, we urge you to consider the environment. Landfills are already overflowing with plastic and metal waste, and by recycling your ride-on toy, you can help reduce this problem.
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Can hard plastic toys be recycled?’
Hard plastic toys can be recycled, but it depends on the type of plastic and your local recycling program. Most recycling facilities accept hard plastic toys made of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polycarbonate (PC) plastic. These plastics are durable and commonly used in toys and can be recycled into new products such as playground equipment, park benches, and even new toys. However, toys made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic are not easily recyclable, as they contain toxic chemicals that can harm the environment and human health.
Before recycling your hard plastic toys, it is important to check with your local recycling program to see if they accept them. Some recycling facilities only accept specific types of plastics or have restrictions on the size or shape of the items they accept. If your local program does not accept hard plastic toys, consider donating them to a local charity or secondhand store or repurposing them in your home. With proper disposal, hard plastic toys can be given a new life and diverted from landfills, helping to reduce waste and protect the environment.
