Tom’s of Maine is partnering with Terracycle for a new promotion during April, which is Earth Month – and it also ties in with its latest launch, a baby product line. The brand wants parents to recycle toys instead of sending them to landfills.

How much of a difference can this effort make? More than three billion toys were purchased in 2014. Tom’s of Maine’s recent study showed that more than half (55%) of parents frequently throw out toys to reduce clutter in their home.

The brand is encouraging parents to sign up for a Toy Recycling Box, and work with friends, schools and community centers to teach kids about recycling, while reducing waste. The boxes are available while supplies last. The boxes come with a prepaid shipping label for an easy return process once full. Everything from dolls to board game pieces can be placed in the box and shipped to TerraCycle free of charge.

“It’s not easy to throw away our kids’ favorite toys when they are beyond repair,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine. “However, when they are worn out and can’t be donated, recycling or upcycling toys is a simple way to reshape the way kids think about waste. Thirty years ago, we would never have imagined that toy parts could be repurposed into a new picnic table. Imagine the possibilities ahead if we all work together.”

What Can Be Recycled?

The difficult part about discarding children’s toys – and other items – is that a city’s typical recycling plant won’t be able to handle certain items, like these below. Instead, they go directly to landfills. Keep them out of ther landfills by taking part in Terracycle’s program and getting a box – the cost of which is sponsored by Tom’s of Maine during this promotion.

Learn more in this video about the progress Tom’s of Maine has been making with its recycling efforts, and partnership with Terracycle.

Here is the list of children’s toys that can be collected in the Tom’s of Maine box, and sent to Terracycle:

Dolls; discarded toys or toy pieces; cards; dice; game boards; packaging from board games; books with sound; handheld electronic games and; players; remote control vehicles; electronic stuffed animals; baby toys; building sets; stuffed animals; puzzle pieces; game pieces and action figures.