WE already recycle our glass, our plastic, our cardboard and garden waste.

Now Bolton Council has introduced new bins across the town — so we can recycle toys.

Town Hall bosses are behind a move to make sure youngsters’ unwanted gadgets end up at a deserving home instead of the scrap heap.

Nine recycling banks have been set up around Bolton, with the toys collected sent to a variety of worthy destinations.

Elaine Sherrington, Bolton Council’s executive member for the environment, said: “This is a very worthwhile scheme and one that I hope everyone who is able to will take part in.

“Recycling toys can reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, and provide children at home and abroad with play things that they would never otherwise have the chance to own.”

Only toys that are complete and in full working order should be placed in the banks. Only toys that are placed fully inside will be collected.

It is planned that about 10 per cent of collected toys will stay in the UK, being either distributed through charitable donations to various organisations, or used as parts for repairs.

As well as providing toys to less fortunate children in the UK, the scheme will also benefit young people in developing countries and the environment.

Ten per cent of the collected toys will be donated to charitable causes in Africa, in particular to schools.

The remainder of the toys will be sent to Eastern Europe or Pakistan, where they will then used or recycled.

The toy bank works in conjunction with charity shops, and those who already donate their unwanted toys to good causes should continue to do so.

The banks are located at Asda at Astley Bridge, Asda at Burnden Park, Kearsley shopping precinct, Leverhulme Children’s Centre, Morrisons at Black Horse Street and Harwood, Oldhams Childrens Centre. Sainsburys at Trinity Street and Tonge Childrens Centre.