Giving Old Toys New Life: The Sustainable Vision of ecoBirdy

Tackling Toy Waste Through Circular Design

Every year, Europe generates 24 million tonnes of plastic waste — yet only 5% of new plastic products are made from recycled materials. This discrepancy is especially stark when it comes to plastic toys, which often contain mixed plastics and are notoriously difficult to recycle.

ecoBirdy set out to change that. Since 2016, the company has developed a proprietary recycling process tailored specifically to post-consumer plastic toys. Combining manual sorting with advanced technology, ecoBirdy is able to extract high-quality raw material from colorful, broken toys — breathing new life into plastic otherwise destined for landfill.

The recycling process includes:

• Manual inspection of each collected item

• Grinding and washing to break down volume

• Automated sorting by material type

• Rigorous lab testing for quality control

Throughout every stage, human oversight ensures cleanliness and consistency, resulting in raw material that rivals virgin plastic in performance — but with a fraction of the environmental footprint.

ecothylene®: A Material with Meaning

Central to ecoBirdy's innovation is ecothylene®, a patented material created from 100% recycled post-consumer plastic toys. Unlike typical recycled plastic, which often appears dull and grey, ecothylene® is vibrant, speckled, and full of personality — a conscious decision to keep the material’s origin visible.

Key features of ecothylene®:

• No added pigments or virgin plastic

• Produced using low-impact, patented technology

• Durable, lightweight, and easy to clean

• Each piece is one-of-a-kind in pattern

• 100% recyclable again at end of life

Visually, ecothylene® is reminiscent of terrazzo, giving it a modern aesthetic appeal while serving as a tactile reminder of resource conservation. Its versatility allows for the production of seamless, high-strength pieces ideal for kid-friendly environments.

Social Impact at Every Step

Beyond its environmental focus, ecoBirdy embeds social value into its operations. The brand partners with local sheltered workshops to help sort and prepare donated plastic toys. These social enterprises provide employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities or barriers to the traditional workforce, contributing to a more inclusive circular economy.

From sorting to storytelling, people remain at the heart of the ecoBirdy process.

Inspiring the Next Generation Through Education

ecoBirdy’s mission extends beyond manufacturing — the brand is committed to inspiring future generations. Its thoughtfully designed school program engages children directly in the act of recycling and sustainability. Through an illustrated storybook and toy collection drives, kids learn about the lifecycle of plastic and how their own actions can contribute to a cleaner planet.

The program includes:

1. A storybook inspired by real life – explaining plastic pollution in a child-friendly way.

2. Collection campaigns in schools – where children donate old toys to be recycled.

3. Transparency in the upcycling journey – donors receive updates when their toys are transformed into new products.

This initiative helps children see waste not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of something beautiful — instilling values of stewardship and care from an early age.

A Partner with Purpose

ecoBirdy’s approach blends sustainability, design, and education into a holistic system that’s as impactful as it is imaginative. By transforming plastic waste into playful, purposeful pieces — and by bringing communities into the process — the brand is proving that meaningful change can start with a single toy.

As one of our proud maker partners, ecoBirdy stands as a shining example of what’s possible when creativity meets conscience.