How can I reuse or recycle teddy bears and other soft toys?
We’ve had an email from Gillian, asking:
how can i recycle my children’s old teddy bears? i don’t have the heart to chuck them in the land fill. any suggestions?
As a previous owner of a large collection of stuffed toy cats, dogs, bunnies and seals, I can understand the reluctance to throw them away.
If they’re in good condition, I’d be tempted to bung them through the wash then give them away to a charity shop or a refuge for another child to enjoy – but they might not be accepted for re-sale/re-distribution if they’ve been loved a little too much in the past.
How about stripping them down for parts instead? Eyes, stuffing and bits of interesting fabric/fur are always welcome additions to a craft collection – but it might feel a little bit like an autopsy ;)
Any other suggestions?
(Photo by lusi)
We like to recycle lots of things,
icluding teddys and barbies!
Hospitals often taken old teddies for children who are having to stay over.
How about “patching” them up with scraps of fabric, giving them new eyes and donating them.
A number of my stuffed toys have been “adopted” by our two cats, for sleeping next to. :)
In my house, older stuffed animal equals dog toy. Just watch for small hard parts that might be swallowed. A kennel may want some too.
you can take the stuffing out and turn it into a puppet.
Look at this, and create a chair:
http://conceptsecontents.blogosfere.it/2006/05/teddy-bear-chai.html
My friend Dathan told me yesterday that he used to use soft toys – old Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to be exact – in his bass drum.
Drummers often use pillows to dampened the sound but a drum full of cuddly toys sounds more fun and green :)
-louisa