Company Launches Mobile App to Reduce Toy Waste

TOYCYCLE, a company that helps families save money and reduce environmental waste by exchanging used toys and games, announced the release of its mobile app for iOS environments.

“What parent hasn’t stumbled upon one of their child’s ‘favorite’ toys from last year, which is entirely forgotten or replaced by another ‘favorite’ today?” said Rhonda Collins, founder of TOYCYCLE, in a statement. “Then, if you consider that almost every home with babies, children and teens houses numerous toys, gently or never used, I figured there must be a way to make them easily accessible to be shared and enjoyed by other families. Our solution helps families save money on purchases and begin making a difference by reducing toy-related plastics in our landfills.”

This announcement underscores Collins’ commitment to equipping parents, and children, with a way to have fun that also promotes conscious sharing, saving money and reducing toy plastics. With existing communities of active sharing families listed throughout California in Alameda, Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco, users can now use their iPhones to quickly locate a toy, book or game their child is growing into but does not yet own.

TOYCYCLE’s model works by organizing small, local groups of families to give or receive toys from other families who live nearby. Each local group is associated with other surrounding groups to increase connecting with more families farther away, which boosts the volume of toys to choose from. Shipping or mailing is never required.

Related:How Toy Libraries are Rescuing Toys from Landfill

Users can sign up for TOYCYCLE using the app or accessing the platform from any desktop, laptop or tablet. Users will receive a free trial period, after which they are asked to pay an annual access fee. There is no charge for giving or getting used toys and games. Once registered, users can search for the toy, book or game they want right away. There is no limit placed on the number of toys you can give or receive.

Typical toys available include any variety of toy a child can play with: Legos, stuffed animals, rocking horses, dolls, ride-on toys, board games, play tables, walkers, figurines, action heroes, imaginary play clothes or costumes, puzzles, kites, sports gear, musical instruments, sand toys, card games, swim fins, water toys, train tables, electronic devices, books, science kits, educational toys or games, DVDs, play yards, etc.

“We’re extremely pleased TOYCYCLE is taking off particularly within Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda because it is creating community through the sharing of toys, but it is also helping in some small way to reduce waste within our landfills,” added Collins. “Now, all that’s left is for parents to find their local community, whether it be Temescal, Rockridge, South Berkeley or Claremont, and find the toy, book or game your child will enjoy.”