British Heart Foundation calls on parents to donate unwanted toys this Christmas

  • Nearly 1 in 3 parents (28%) say they have thrown away toys in perfect working order
  • Nearly half (47%) of parents admit that their kids are tired of new toys after just one week
  • Shopping pre-loved and donating unwanted gifts could be key to reducing waste this festive season

As Christmas shopping season looms, the British Heart Foundation is asking parents to ‘drop as they shop’ by donating pre-loved children’s toys to make space for the presents that Santa brings.

Donating toys or picking up good value second hand treats can be great way to cut costs – particularly as a survey commissioned by the charity, shows that nearly half of parents (47%) find their little ones can get fed up with new items within just seven days.

With a growing awareness of the importance of cutting down on waste, the BHF is urging the public to donate items that no longer appeal or shop for second-hand gifts. It says that operating a ‘one in one out’ approach could help reduce the number of toys that will go to landfill in the New Year.

The survey also reveals that nearly a third (28%) of parents have thrown away toys in perfect working order – items which could help charities raise vital funds if donated and resold. The BHF hopes to encourage more people to have a Green Christmas by buying pre-loved items for as little as £1 and donating what they don’t need at the same time.

“These figures show just how quickly kids can lose interest in toys,” says David Roman, Sustainability Manager at the British Heart Foundation. “As a parent, I am all too familiar with the amount of clutter Christmas can generate, but shopping second-hand and donating as you go could help make space for festive gifts and find new homes for old favourites.

“Now more than ever, it’s vital that we find ways to minimise waste and cut down on buying new items where possible. Second-hand toys are a great way to start and will help keep costs low when doing your Christmas shopping this year!”

The charity hopes to encourage people to donate quality toys in the hope of saving them from landfill and finding them new homes. Last year, those who shopped in or donated to BHF shops helped the charity save 74,000 tonnes of goods from landfill, including clothes, shoes, toys and books.

All money raised from sales of toys goes towards lifesaving research into conditions such as heart attack, stroke and vascular dementia. The charity say buying and donating will help the planet and help make Christmas wishes come true for the 7.4 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK.

Get involved with the British Heart Foundation’s Green Christmas by shopping second-hand and help make Christmas wishes come true. Share your finds on social media with #BoughtAtBHF. For more information please visit: bhf.org.uk/Christmas.