FAQs

Recycle to Read is a free Wastebuster campaign. Schools can login or register for a free account on Wastebuster’s national campaign website, The Pod, and sign up to the Recycle to Read Toys campaign.
You will get access to a full campaign pack containing everything you need to successfully take part. For more details, please head to the Recycle to Read Toys school sign up page.

What is 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.

Any UK school with children aged 2–11 can take part in Recycle to Read. Before registering, please use the Store Locator on the Recycle to Read homepage to check that there is a participating Tesco store close enough for your school community to take part.

Families and individuals can also join in by recycling hard plastic toys at a participating Tesco store (use the Store Locator to find your nearest). Each recycling visit can be registered to support a primary or infant school, helping them earn points on the national leaderboard.

What toys can I recycle?

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.

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
– Games or puzzles (although hard plastic components may be accepted).

Please consider donating toys in good condition to charity or school toy sales.

For toys with batteries, please visit www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk to find locations you can take them to be recycled or if your school is taking part in The Hidden Treasure Hunt, you and your school could win  tech when you recycle your e-toys.

Can I recycle more than one toy at a time?

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

How do I register a recycling visit?

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.

Where are the bins located?

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

What if the bin is full?

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.

How are the toys recycled?

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.

Are the toys recycled in the UK?

Yes, all toy recycling takes place in the UK.

What are Planet Care Points?

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 Wednesday 8th July 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

How do I earn Planet Care Points for a school?

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.

Can I help a school if I’m not a parent there?

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

Can we earn more points by recycling more toys?

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

Taking part in competitions or prize draws does not affect the number of Planet Care Points earned.

What if I forget to scan the QR code?

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

How can I help my school if we don’t have toys to recycle?

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

Can I earn points for a school that isn’t listed?

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

Can I earn points for more than one school?

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

Can schools earn extra points?

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.

Can I fix my toys instead of recycling?

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

School Leaderboard Rewards

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

School Leaderboard Rewards

Schools earn Planet Care Points every time recycling visits are registered. These points determine their position on the Recycle to Read School Leaderboard.

Each year, the top 200 schools on the leaderboard — based on rankings at 12:00 midday (GMT) on 8 July will receive book voucher prizes, awarded according to their final position.

School rankings and their associated book voucher reward, are as follows:

– 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 more details.

Book discounts for all participants

All schools who register to participate in Recycle to Read Toys and individuals/ families registering their toy recycling, will receive a single-use code to use to unlock the special discounts listed, when purchasing books from the Collins Recycle to Read book catalogue.

Please note.

– These codes unlock discounted prices already shown (not an extra discount).
– Each code is valid for one transaction only (but no book quantity limit on that single transaction).

Full usage instructions are available on the Collins website and in the video here:

Are there any additional prize draws or giveaways?
Yes. During the campaign, a Daily Book Giveaway is running where one winner is selected for each day. For administrative purposes, winners are drawn weekly (7 winners per week), with each winner representing a specific day’s entries.

Each winner receives a children’s book. Participants can only win once during this promotion.

Winners are notified within 7 working days. See full Terms and Conditions for details.

What is the ‘My Toy and Me’ competition?
The “My Toy and Me” competition invites children aged 4–11 to submit a short story about a toy and its next adventure, including whether it is rehomed or recycled.

Selected entries will be published in a “My Toy and Me” book, with winners and their schools receiving a copy.

The deadline for entries is 1 July 2026. See full Terms and Conditions for details on how to enter.

I have a technical problem. Who do I contact?

Email us at info@recycletoread.org.

How do I report a problem with a bin?

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

How do I become a corporate supporter or donate books?

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

How do I give feedback?

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