There are always some forgotten old stuffed toys in the corners of homes. They used to be faithful companions during children’s growth. People discard these old plush toys for many different reasons. They may be damaged, have wear and tear, or lose their original appeal so they are left unused for a very long period of time. Although these old stuffed toys can’t serve their original purpose anymore, they may still have some special value with appropriate processing and utilization. In this case, recycling is one of the most popular and eco-friendly ways to reuse old stuffed toys.

As an experienced plush toy maker, we can say old stuffed toys are still valuable in many ways and they deserve to be treated properly. In this blog post, we will tell you the proper way to properly handle old stuffed toys and 10 creative ways to recycle your old stuffed animals.

Importance of Recycling Old Stuffed Toys

Environmental Protection

Old stuffed animals usually contain all kinds of materials like fabric, stuffing, plastic accessories, etc. If they are discarded casually, these materials will end up as part of landfill sites, leading to land and water contamination. By recycling these old soft toys, the recyclable materials can be separated and recycled effectively, which can minimize the consumption of natural resources and the negative impacts on the environment.

Resource Recycle

Recycling old stuffed toys can reuse their recyclable materials. For example, fabrics and stuffings can be used for the manufacture of crafts and plastic components can be processed for recycling. This can contribute to reducing the increasing demand for new materials and the energy consumption and waste emissions during the production process.

Social Responsibility

Recycling old plush toys is a way to show your social responsibility. By sending these old stuffed toys to recycling centers or donating them to charity organizations, you can make a positive contribution to society by reducing the amount of waste and offering help and happiness to people in need.

Educative Benefits

Recycling old stuffed animals can also be a part of education. Promoting the importance and benefits of recycling old things in the community and schools and encouraging people to recycle can enhance their environmental awareness and social responsibility, and cultivate their understanding and support for sustainable development.

Solutions for Discarding Old Stuffed Toys

Donation & Charity Sale

Donating to charity organizations or participating in charity sales is one of the most common ways to deal with old stuffed toys. These organizations usually give away the donated toys to those in need or use them for fundraising for charitable causes. You can contact local charitable organizations or charity sales events to learn about their accepted items and donation methods.

Second-hand Sale Platform

Selling your old plush toys on second-hand sale platforms is also a good option. Some old stuffed toys still can draw people’s attention especially if they are classic or limited-edition designs. You can post all needed descriptions of the toys and set reasonable prices on popular second-hand sale platforms to look for those who are still willing to
keep your old stuffed toys.

Recycling Center

Some recycling centers may accept the recycling of textile fabrics and stuffing materials from old plush toys. You can consult local waste management centers or recycling facilities to learn more about their recycling policies and requirements for old plush toys, and then you just need to send the toys to the designated recycling site for proper treatment.

DIY Project

If you like handicraft creation, you can use your old stuffed animals for DIY craft projects. For example, you can use the textile fabrics or stuffing of your old plush animals to make other kinds of fabric crafts, which not only gives new life to your old stuffed animals but also unleashes your creativity and imagination.



Waste Management

For old plush toys that have been already damaged and are no longer usable, you can regard them as waste and dispose of them in a proper way. Categorize the toys and dispose of them in the appropriate bins to ensure they are properly handled.

10 Creative DIY Ideas for Recycling Your Old Stuffed Toys

Plush Toy Pillow

You can sew a couple of small stuffed animals together, and then put stuffing and seal them to make a new and unique stuffed toy pillow. Such a special pillow not only can add decorative value to your room but also be used as a versatile cushion. You can select old stuffed toys with similar colors and shapes to create a unified style. Besides, if you prefer a colorful and diverse style, you can use different kinds of old stuffed toys to add fun and personality to the pillow.

Plush Toy Shelf Bracket

Cut the large old stuffed animals into the right shape and add some decorations you like, then secure it onto the shelf as a bracket. This kind of DIY item not only adds cuteness to the bookshelf but also creates extra storage. You can choose old stuffed toys that match the color and theme of the bookshelf, or you can also pick some special designs based on your preference to decorate.

Garden Plush Toy Decoration

Old stuffed toys can be used for garden decoration. You can hang some colorful stuffed toys on the branches of trees, or put them at the edges of the flower beds, which can bring a sense of childishness and vitality to your garden. Moreover, you can choose toys with colors and shapes that match the garden plants or make seasonal and holiday decorations to create various vibes.

Plush Toy Phone Holder

If you have old movable stuffed animals, you can use them to make special phone holders. Trim them into the right shapes and secure them onto a base that can support your phone. Such a lovely stuffed animal phone holder is practical and lovely and can help secure your phone on the desk. Select a plush toy with the appropriate size and shape to ensure the phone can be placed securely on the base. Besides, you can also add some decorative accessories based on your personal preference.

Plush Toy Key Chain

For old small stuffed animals, you can sew them to key chains to make special key chains. Old small stuffed toys not only serve as decorations for your key chains but also can be gifts for your family or friends. You can pick an exquisitely small and cute stuffed toy to ensure it is easy to carry. In addition, you can make a more personalized stuffed toy key chain by painting the color you want to the toy if it is in a light color. Such a creative DIY item not only brings fun to your daily life but also shows your unique delight in life.

Plush Toy Hanging Ornament

Old small plush toys can be also used to make all kinds of hanging ornaments that decorate your living space in a creative way. You can sew multiple toys to ropes or chains, then hang them on the wall or door handles. Such a decoration can add fun to your room as well as a cozy vibe to your home space. Choose toys that go well with the theme of the room, and add some decorative accessories according to season and holiday, which can make your living space much more interesting and cozy.

Plush Toy Bookmark

Some mini-stuffed toys can be used to make unique bookmarks, which will bring more fun to your reading time. Sew a little plush toy to a bookmark, and add some decorations like colorful rope or ribbons at the other end. Choose a plush toy that matches your favorite book, or refine it based on the theme of the book, which will make your reading more interesting and delightful.

Plush Toy Handbag

You can also use your old stuffed toys to make your own handbag. Firstly, pick a plush toy that has a similar size and shape to a handbag. Carefully remove all stuffing inside the toy and then sew a zipper and carry scrap to the toy, then you will have a unique and lovely stuffed toy handbag. Old stuffed animals usually carry a lot of precious memories. By using them to make a handbag, you can always recall the good times wherever you go.

Plush Toy Hook

If you are tired of your living space, you can vitalize it by making some whimsical plush toy hooks. Select a plush toy with the right size and shape and secure it on the wall as a hook. You can use it to hang your clothes, bags, and many other things. Such a special decoration is not only practical but also makes your room warmer and more interesting.

Plush Toy Theater

Old plush toys can be used to create interesting games for children. Set up a miniature doll theater in a small box or structure. Put multiple plush animals inside the box to create a mini scene where children can play role-playing games with their imagination. For example, you can put various animal toys in the scene and let children engage in a role-playing game with a story script. You can also choose your children’s favorite stuffed toys and create a fairy tale scene where they can have a more enjoyable engagement. This kind of theater can stimulate children’s creativity and imagination, and train their social and communication skills.

For Plush Toy Sellers and Manufacturers: How to Grow Their Business with Old Stuffed Toys?

Promote Responsibility for Environmental Protection

Recycling old stuffed toys can be a part of enterprises’ environmental responsibility. Through promotion campaigns for recycling old plush toys, manufacturers, and sellers can convey their promise of environmental protection and highlight their strategies for sustainable development. This promotion of environmental responsibility can contribute to building a favorable brand image and attract more consumers with strong environmental awareness.

Innovate Product Design

Plush toy manufacturers can use old stuffed toys to update their current product designs and launch a series of unique and innovative sustainable products. For example, they can reprocess old plush toys to new designs, or use them to make other kinds of products, such as handbags, hanging ornaments, key chains, etc. These creative designs can draw customers’ attention and bring higher sales volume to the company.

Charitable Cooperation Project

Plush toy sellers can cooperate with charitable or other social organizations by using old stuffed toys to launch charitable projects. Sellers can donate the recycled stuffed animals to those in need, such as children's welfare institutions, children in disaster areas, and orphanages, sending them warmth and joy. This kind of charitable project is conducive to enhancing an enterprise's social responsibility image and earning more favor and support from customers.

Brand Culture Building

Plush toy manufacturers and sellers use old stuffed toys to build their brand culture. Through storytelling and event promotion, integrate the brand culture with recycling plush toys to build a more attractive and compelling brand image. Such a brand culture building can not only enhance consumers’ cognition and loyalty to the brand but also bring more brand value and influence to the company.

Why Choose CustomPlushMaker?

CustomPlushMaker Co., Ltd is a professional plush toy manufacturer and supplier with social and environmental responsibility. We are experienced in recycling old stuffed animals to fulfill our clients’ sustainable projects. Besides, we specialize in making high-quality yet affordable custom plush toys to grow your plush toy business.

Premium Quality

We are committed to using premium materials that meet all relevant safety standards in production. Our expert craftsmanship also ensures every plush toy we make is non-toxic, skin-friendly, and can stand the test of time.

Professional Customization

Whatever design you send to us, we have the ability to turn it into a real one that meets your expectations. Our design team offers professional advice to refine your design in order to make a perfect custom plush toy.

Efficient Production

We have our own factory with stable production lines. We have the capacity to deal with both small and bulk orders and ensure on-time delivery.

If you are interested in our products and customization service, we would love to help you grow your plush toy business. For any cooperation, welcome to contact us at toyseei@customplushmaker.com.