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Recycling Used Toys Can Brighten Holidays For Children

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Sometimes what's good for the environment can also be good for your neighbors. This holiday season, many local hospitals give people the chance to do something good for both by recycling used toys and other children's items.

Valley View Hospital, in Glenwood Spring, Colorado, is helping to encourage toy recycling by offering to wash and sterilize any donated used stuffed animals during the holiday season. The stuffed animals are given away to any children brought into the hospital for surgery or emergency procedures. When children come to the hospital for treatment, they take a stuffed toy home with them. For more details, see Recycle Those Toys and Magazines Exit EPA Disclaimer.

patient at East Tennessee Children's Hospital enjoying  donated toys

In Knoxville, Tennessee, the East Tennessee Children's Hospital accepts donations of used, like-new hard plastic toys and nonviolent video games and videos. For more information, visit Toy/Activity Donation Guidelines Exit EPA Disclaimer.

In San Diego, Healthy Families, a Children's Hospital and Health Center family support program, accepts donations of used stuffed animals, toys, books, games, clothing, and household items. Call (858) 966-8584 to make donation arrangements.

While most national toy donation agencies do not accept used toys because of health and other concerns, many local agencies still put in the extra effort to clean donated toys and recycle them. Check with your local hospitals or other charities to find out whether they recycle toys or other items during the holiday period.

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