APSAA 亞太永續行動獎(Asia-Pacific Sustainability Action Awards )-Sustainability Action Award SDG12:Bronze
Social Affairs Bureau, Taichung City Government
Taichung Toy Bank – Turning Toys into Treasures for a Sustainable and Inclusive Future
Toys are vital to children's growth, fostering cognitive development, emotional stability, creativity, and a sense of security. Yet for many families, especially disadvantaged ones, toys are a costly burden, creating unequal access to resources. Children’s attachment to toys is often brief, and many usable toys are discarded, adding to waste and environmental strain.
Since May 2023, Taichung City’s Toy Bank has collected, cleaned, sorted, and redistributed second-hand toys to extend their life and promote circular use. In line with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), “Toy Sharing Packs” are matched to children aged 0–6 based on age and needs, and distributed via social welfare units to improve access and support social inclusion. Under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), initiatives like the Mini Parent Child Centers Toy Exchange and the Touring Toy Resource Car reduce waste and encourage reuse.
By April 2025, over 17,847.5 kilograms of toys had been collected, with 14,996 items cleaned and reused—easing parenting burdens and strengthening family bonds.
Once-forgotten toys are now back in children’s arms, sparking joy and becoming treasured once more.