Cork's Toy Library urges families to embrace 'Circular Christmas' campaign

A recent Irish study found that approximately 5.5m plastic toys are lost and discarded here each year

The free-to-use Toy Library platform lets families share, swap, and find pre-loved toys in their local area. Picture: Clare Keogh. 

Parents and families across the country are being encouraged to take part in a Cork-based initiative aimed at promoting pre-loved toys and reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste over the Christmas season.

A landmark 2014 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) study found that the toy industry uses 40 tonnes of plastic for every $1m in revenues it generates. The study described the industry as "the most plastic-intensive industry in the world".