Recycle to Read Toys

Recycle to Read Toys is a UK-wide campaign that encourages families to recycle broken hard plastic toys at participating Tesco stores in exchange for Planet Care Points for schools. The campaign is run by Wastebuster, in association with Tesco, Collins, and Products of Change, with the aim of promoting sustainability and reading for pleasure.

1. Register for free on The Pod if your school doesn’t already have an account.
2. Log in and visit the Recycle to Read Toys campaign page.
3. Sign up to the campaign to access your full campaign pack with all the resources you need

Who can take part?

Any individual can recycle toys and collect points for a participating primary or infant school. However, businesses or other organisations are not eligible to use the bins or claim points.

Not currently. The campaign is for schools with pupils aged 2–11.

Schools can register for free on The Pod website and join the campaign via the Recycle to Read section.

What toys can I recycle and how?

We accept small broken hard plastic toys (e.g. cracked buckets, plastic cars) that fit inside a shoebox. Toys can include small amounts of other materials like screws or hair but must be clean, dry, and unbagged.

Recycle your toys at a participating Tesco store, then scan the QR code on the bin or visit the Recycle to Read website to register your visit and nominate a school. You can only register one visit per day.

We cannot accept:

- Toys with batteries or electronics
- Plush/soft or fabric toys
- Wooden toys
- Board games (unless you're recycling small plastic parts)
- Slime, inflatables, or packaging
- Sit-on toys or items too large for the bin

For toys with batteries, please visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk. 

Yes, you can recycle as many toys as will fit in the bin, but you still only earn one Planet Care Point per day.

No, but hard plastic components may be accepted. Please consider donating full games to charity.

Bins are in selected Tesco stores, usually behind the tills near battery recycling points. Find your nearest store on the Recycle to Read website.

Please do not leave toys beside the bin. Return another day or visit another participating store. Contact us at info@recycletoread.org if there’s an issue.

Toys are:

1. Sorted to remove contamination and non-target items.
2. Shredded, and any metal components (e.g. screws or axles) are separated.
3. Plastics are sorted by type using water-based density separation technologies.
4. The clean, sorted plastic is then turned into recycled plastic pellets, which are used to manufacture new products.

This process supports the circular economy and is carried out entirely within the UK. For more detail, see the Technical FAQs on our website.

Yes, all toy recycling takes place in the UK.

How do the points work?

Planet Care Points are earned for schools when you drop off broken plastic toys at a Recycle to Read collection bin in a participating Tesco store and register your toy recycling visit by scanning the QR code on the bin and completing this short form. Each completed visit earns one Planet Care Point for the school you nominate. These points count towards their total on the Recycle to Read School Leaderboard. Schools receive book vouchers based on their ranking on the Leaderboard at midday (UK time) on official Book Reward Days. The next one is World Environment Day: 5th June 2026. By collecting a Planet Care Point for a school, you’ll also be entered into our monthly prize draw. Terms and conditions apply.

1. Drop off your broken plastic toys in a Recycle to Read collection bin at a participating Tesco store.
2. Scan the QR code on the front of the bin.
3. Complete the online form and nominate a school to receive your Planet Care Point.

If your school isn’t listed in the dropdown, it means they haven’t registered yet. You can invite your school to sign up here.

Yes. Anyone can nominate and support a participating school, provided they’re a private individual recycling their own toys.

No. Every visit counts equally, regardless of the number of toys recycled. You can return on another day to earn another point.

You can register your visit manually via the "Get Points" page on the Recycle to Read website.

Ask friends and family to recycle and nominate your school when they register their visit.

No. Only registered schools appear in the dropdown. Let us know if your school isn’t listed and we’ll invite them to join.

Yes, but only one point per day. You can alternate the school you nominate across different days.

Yes. Schools can earn 50 bonus points per academic year for hosting a Toy Swap or Sale. Submit a photo of the event to info@recycletoread.org.

Use our Toy Swap Event Guide and the British Toy and Hobbycraft Association’s tips to help plan your event. Schools can earn a maximum of 50 bonus points per academic year.

Yes, if possible. Check out resources like the FixIt Club or Repair Cafés to try to repair toys before recycling.

What book rewards are available?

The Recycle to Read campaign offers book rewards to both individuals and schools in the following ways:

Monthly Prize Draws (Individuals and Schools)

Every month from September 2025 to June 2026:

• One individual who has registered a toy recycling visit and earned a Planet Care Point during the month is selected to win either a book prize (a featured book or book bundle), or a Captain Busta puppet toy and book
• One participating school that has received at least one Planet Care Point during the month is selected to win either a book prize (a featured book or book bundle), or a Captain Busta puppet toy and book.

All winners are notified at the start of each month for the previous month's draw.

Note: Each individual and each school can only win once per academic year to give more participants a chance to win.

See full Terms and Conditions for full details.

School Leaderboard Rewards

Schools earn Planet Care Points from registered recycling visits. These count towards their place on the national leaderboard.

The top 200 schools each year (as ranked on World Environment Day – 5 June) receive book voucher prizes:

• Rank 1 – £500
• Ranks 2-3 – £300
• Ranks 4-10 – £200
• Ranks 11-25 – £100
• Ranks 26–50 – £75
• Ranks 51–100 – £50
• Ranks 101–200 – £30

This annual award supports long-term participation and celebrates leading schools across the country.

See full Terms and Conditions for full details.

Discount Codes for All Participants

All schools and individuals who register for the Recycle to Read campaign will receive a single-use discount code to access special prices in the Collins Recycle to Read book catalogue.

• These codes unlock discounted prices already shown (not an extra discount).
• Each code is valid for one transaction (no book quantity limit).
• Schools that sign up before 25 July 2025 will receive their codes during the week of 8 September 2025.
• Later registrants will receive their codes shortly after signing up.

Full usage instructions are available on the Collins website.

Help and Contact

Email us at info@recycletoread.org.

Please contact us directly at info@recycletoread.org. Tesco staff cannot assist with bins.

Visit the corporate section of the Recycle to Read website or contact info@wastebuster.co.uk for donation and sponsorship opportunities.

We’d love to hear from you. Email the team at info@recycletoread.org.