Parents dump children’s old toys before Christmas without telling them

Almost three out of four Irish parents have thrown out their children’s toys before Christmas and not told them.

While just one in four children noticed that their toys had disappeared, one in eight reacted with hysterical tears or the silent treatment, a Repak survey reveals.

It found that most parents (60%) have threatened their children with coal from Santa for leaving their toys scattered about.

One in 20 children had the coal threat followed through because of their untidiness and general bad behaviour.

The average number of toys owned by a child under 12 at any one time is 30.

Most parents (70%) said they threw out their children’s toys because they did not play with them any more. Half (51%) said the toys were too wrecked and dirty. However, one in four (42%) said there was just too much clutter about the house.

While half of people worry about a lack of space in their homes before Christmas, it is no surprise it is mostly parents (87%) who fret about it.

In a bid to clear some space ahead Christmas, six out of ten people do a last-minute house clear out so there is room for more stuff.

The survey found that 90% of people feel children receive too many toys at Christmas and one in three blame Granny for spoiling children with too many gifts at this time of year. Next on the over-gifting offenders’ list are mums (23%) and aunties (16%).

Repak is urging people to get on Santa’s ‘nice list’ and recycle their household waste correctly over Christmas. The survey found that one in three parents chucked plastic toys in the recycling bin; 15% had put rubber toys in it, with one in ten depositing soft cuddly toys there.

Parents admitted getting a little bit fed-up finding toys on the floor (86%), on the stairs (46%), in the fridge (10%), or, bizarrely, in the toilet (8%).

Most parents said they did not spend the same amount on each child — under €50 was the average spent.

However, after seeing The Late Late Toy Show, one in three felt under pressure to spend more on their children.

More than one in three (34%) people admitted to putting recyclable materials in their regular bin at Christmas if it was full, or vice versa. And 15% admitted to being the neighbourhood nuisances who dump their empty Christmas booze bottles beside the bank, even if it was full.

Four out of ten admit throwing treat wrappers into the fire and one in four admitted they did not rinse out recyclables before putting them in the green bin.

On the plus side, the survey found that 95% of people generally separate out their rubbish at Christmas and six in ten would never put rubbish in the fire.

Most (96%) recycle cardboard toy boxes and the plastic inserts (93%), Christmas cards (97%), and wrapping paper (95%).

Repak chief executive Seamus Clancy urged people to ensure the correct items go into their recycling bin. “Ireland has made major improvements in packaging recycling rates and, at the busiest time of year, we’re asking to recycle more and recycle better and help us to keep up the good work.”

Recycling tips

1. Avoid shiny wrapping — glossy or laminated gift wrap can’t be recycled so opt for natural-fibre paper or gift bags that can be used again;

2. Break up the cardboard boxes before putting them in the recycling bin;

3. Don’t let empty glass bottles build up over the holidays — recycle before Christmas and again in late January when the bottle banks have been emptied.