Recycle your Barbies, Matchbox cars and more by mailing old toys to Mattel (2024)

When it's time to move out of Barbie's Dreamhouse, the next stop doesn't have to be the landfill. Mattel is taking back old Barbie, Matchbox and Mega toys for free as part of a new toy recycling program called Mattel PlayBack. Consumers can print out a free shipping label to mail their outgrown toys back to the California company — and have the parts reused to make future products.

The new recycling program is the latest step Mattel is taking to become more sustainable and reach its goal of having 100 percent recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials across all products and packaging by 2030.

To get a free shipping label for qualifying toys, go to Mattel's official site and click the "Get Started" button. The label will be emailed to you one hour after submitting your request.

You'll need to supply your own box to mail out the toys. But you don't need to worry about cleaning or repairing the toys before sending them back. (Mattel just asks that you do remove the batteries.)

Mattel will sort through the toys collected, separate them by material type, then have them processed. For materials that can't be repurposed in new toys, Mattel announced it will either turn them into other plastic products or covert it from waste to energy.

Recycle your Barbies, Matchbox cars and more by mailing old toys to Mattel (1)

Watch this: Barbie at 60 is a tech and science wiz

We're already seeing Mattel make toys from eco-friendly materials. Three Mega Bloks sets last year were made from plant-based plastics, along with Fisher-Price's baby blocks and ring stack set. There's also a version of the card game Uno called "Nothin' But Paper," which is the first fully recyclable Uno deck without cellophane wrap.

And last month, Matchbox began showing off its own tiny Tesla Roadster, the first die-cast vehicle made from 99% recycled materials and certified CarbonNeutral. It's available to buy in 2022. (And yes, even the packaging is recyclable and compostable.)

Recycle your Barbies, Matchbox cars and more by mailing old toys to Mattel (2)

Mattel is not the only toymaker aiming to go green. Lego has a program called Lego Replay to donate used bricks to children's nonprofits in the US. And Hasbro partners with TerraCycle to offer its consumers a free shipping label to mail off and responsibly dispose of Hasbro toys and games. And Hasbro is phasing out plastic from its packaging, as well.

Mattel's program is first launching in the United States and Canada, and similar take back programs for Mattel toys also launched in France, Germany and the UK.

Right now, only Barbie, Matchbox and Mega toys are included in the program. But the company says it wants to eventually expand the program to accept any Mattel toy.

So maybe all those orange Hot Wheels tracks will soon get the green treatment, too.

Barbie's careers though the years

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Recycle your Barbies, Matchbox cars and more by mailing old toys to Mattel (2024)

FAQs

Recycle your Barbies, Matchbox cars and more by mailing old toys to Mattel? ›

Mattel is taking back old Barbie

Barbie
Ruth Marianna Handler (née Mosko; November 4, 1916 – April 27, 2002) was an American business magnate and inventor. She is best known for inventing the Barbie doll in 1959, and being co-founder of toy manufacturer Mattel with her husband Elliot, as well as serving as the company's first president from 1945 to 1975.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Ruth_Handler
, Matchbox and Mega toys for free as part of a new toy recycling program called Mattel PlayBack. Consumers can print out a free shipping label to mail their outgrown toys back to the California company — and have the parts reused to make future products.

Does Mattel recycle Barbies? ›

The program currently accepts Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Matchbox® and MEGA™ toys for recycling. Please see FAQs for more information. Mattel PlayBack is available in the United States, Canada, Germany and the United Kingdom.

How to get rid of old Barbies? ›

One option is to donate them to a local children's charity or second-hand store, such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Another option is to sell them online through websites such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. If the dolls are in poor condition or cannot be donated or sold, they can be recycled.

Where to send old Barbies? ›

When your child has outgrown their Barbie®, Fisher-Price®, Matchbox® or MEGA® toys, don't throw them away; return them to us! Take these three simple steps: Visit Mattel.com/PlayBack to start your return and fill out the brief form. Print a free prepaid shipping label.

Are Barbie toys worth anything? ›

Especially prized among collectors are the vintage Barbie doll models produced between 1959 and the late 1960s. The Barbies from this period that had red hair and bendable legs are considered to be the rare and most valuable examples.

Does anyone buy old Barbies? ›

For vintage Barbies from the 1960s and earlier, direct collector sales from SellYourToys.com will get you the highest return. Rare, early edition Barbies in good condition can fetch top dollar from passionate collectors.

What can I do with old matchbox cars? ›

You can now send old Barbies and Matchbox cars back to Mattel and they'll turn them into new toys - CBS News.

Should I throw away old toys? ›

If they're in good working order, you can donate them through toy charities. If they no longer work, you can recycle them.

Do pawn shops buy vintage Barbies? ›

But did you know you can pawn less conventional items like comic books, vintage Barbie dolls or even boats? Yes, those random pawn shop goods you may see when shopping truly do have value.

What to do with old dolls for free? ›

If they still have tags on, I donate them to police and fire departments. If they are in fairly good condition, but I can't donate them to charity, I offer them to crafters for free. Some people enjoy making “Franken Stuffies” and sell them on Etsy. If they are beyond hope, but sentimental, I'll keep them.

Are vintage Barbies safe? ›

More like this. Toys over 25 years old are likely to have degraded over time and release small plastic particles as well as the toxic metals – and young children are particularly at risk from their effects.

What to do with Barbies? ›

There are endless fun possibilities when it comes to playing with Barbies. If you need ideas for activities, consider doing things like creating a beach for Barbie, pretending she's a doctor to help sick patients, or hosting a fashion show to show off all of her clothing.

How do you declutter Barbies? ›

Drawer Organizers

Fill the drawer(s) with individual organizers, much like the ones you'd use to organize supplies in a desk or contain items in the junk drawer. Then, sort the dolls and accessories according to type. For example, shoes can live in one organizer, hats in another, and so on.

What is the most sought after Barbie doll? ›

1. Original Barbie - 1959. Estimated Market Value: Up to $27,450. Values are highest for dolls in mint condition and with original accessories​​.

How can I tell if my Barbie is valuable? ›

Vintage Barbies – those produced between 1959 and 1966 – tend to be more expensive. As for the newer Barbies, Knutson said collectors should look for platinum or gold label Barbies, which signify Barbies that are rarer and therefore more valuable.

Where is the best place to sell Barbies? ›

Whether you're an experienced collector or simply looking to sell a few children toys around your home, eBay makes selling Dolls fun. With millions of eBay shoppers looking for dolls, doll clothes, doll hats, or doll shoes, it's easy to turn your stuff into cash on eBay.

What to do with an old Barbie doll? ›

Antique and Collectible Fairs

Vintage Barbie dolls can be shown and sold to collectors in person at regional fairs and conventions for antiques and collectibles.

What do you do with Barbie dolls? ›

There are endless fun possibilities when it comes to playing with Barbies. If you need ideas for activities, consider doing things like creating a beach for Barbie, pretending she's a doctor to help sick patients, or hosting a fashion show to show off all of her clothing.

Did Mattel win the Barbie Girl lawsuit? ›

Mattel v. MCA Records, 296 F.

2002), was a series of lawsuits between Mattel and MCA Records that resulted from the 1997 hit single "Barbie Girl" by Danish-Norwegian group Aqua. The case was ultimately dismissed.

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