Green Leaf Toys, Australia’s first Zero Waste Toy Subscription Service

 

I am thrilled to share my experience with Green Leaf Toys, Australia’s pioneering Zero Waste Toy Subscription Service.

Green Leaf Toys was founded by Larissa Tedesco, a sustainability blogger, educator, and community activist. Confronted with the absence of a toy library after the birth of her first child, Larissa envisioned a service that would enable families to access high-quality, educational toys. Green Leaf Toys was born, catering to families across Australia irrespective of their location.

Green Leaf Toys serves children from newborns to five years old, a crucial developmental phase marked by rapid growth and evolving interests. This service allows parents to hire age-appropriate, quality, wooden, and sustainably sourced toys as their children grow. Beyond its zero-waste ethos, Green Leaf Toys offers several additional benefits, which I will detail in this review.

My Experience with Australia’s First Zero Waste Toy Subscription Service:

The user interface of the Green Leaf Toys website is easy to use. The entire process, from initial selection to the return of toys, is designed to be effortless, precisely what every parent desires.

Customers commence by selecting one of three subscription boxes, determining the number of toys they wish to receive. They provide the ages of their children, prompting a curated selection of toys tailored to the specified age group. If uncertain about the options, customers can shuffle the selection until they find a satisfactory assortment. Finalising the order is simple, followed by an eager wait for the toys' arrival.

The arrival of the toy box was a moment of excitement. True to their sustainability commitment, the toys are shipped plastic-free, including the tape.

Each toy is individually packed in reusable cloth bags. Prior to playtime, I photographed each toy and its components, storing the images in a folder on my phone. This practice, which I also apply to toy library rentals, simplifies the process of ensuring all parts are accounted for upon return.

Accompanying the toys are detailed instructions, packing tape, and a shipping label for an easy return.

My children were immediately captivated by the toy selection and continued to engage with them throughout the eight-week rental period. Although the box was curated for my 2.5-year-old, his older brother, aged 7, enjoyed the toys alot.

6 benefits to hire toys for babies and children:

Reduced Waste and Pollution:

Opting to borrow rather than buy new significantly diminishes environmental pollution and waste associated with toy manufacturing, packaging, and shipping. Alarmingly, 87,400 tonnes of toys are discarded into Australian landfills annually. Borrowing presents a viable solution to the pervasive issue of overconsumption.

Save Time and Money:

During the early childhood years, toys are typically utilised for a brief period before being discarded or passed on. This age group consumes the most toys. Green Leaf Toys eliminates the hassle of sourcing eco-friendly toys secondhand and alleviates concerns about greenwashing, saving both time and money.

Reduced Clutter and Post-Use Management:

The perpetual cycle of tidying up toys can be overwhelming. With Green Leaf Toys, toys are easily returned when no longer needed, cutting down on the need to find time to sell or donate them.

Simplified Replacement and Repairs:

In the rare event that a toy breaks or a part is lost, Green Leaf Toys will provide a replacement or repair it. As a seasoned Toy Library user, I have observed that children tend to treat borrowed toys with greater respect, minimising loss and damage compared to toys we have picked up from the Op Shop or gifted to us. When i have needed a replacement part it has generally been hard to come by too. 

An Ideal Gift:

Green Leaf Toys subscriptions make excellent gifts, especially for family members who insist on buying gifts despite requests to not. This service is also perfect for young children’s birthdays and Christmas. Often, children under three do not fully grasp the significance of these occasions, while there is social pressure to purchase gifts for them. A Green Leaf Toys box would be a delightful and sustainable gift for such occasions while allowing them to unwrap a present.

Educational Value of Borrowing:

Borrowing instills valuable lessons in children, expanding their understanding of responsible consumption. My eldest explained to his younger brother how Green Leaf Toys operates, emphasising that the toys are shared and must be cared for. This fosters a sense of responsibility and respect for shared resources.


I frequently wanted to describe Green Leaf Toys as “easy” in my review– because it truly is. As a busy parent, I value ease and simplicity, and know for low waste sustainable actions to truly take off they need to be easy. I have been a big fan of Larissa's work over the years, especially her community work with Plastic Free Gold Coast. She has developed a meaningful and practical service, enabling families to be more sustainable and mindful of their consumption habits. I look forward to recommending this service to other parents and carers in the future.

For more information about Green Leaf Toys, Australia’s first Zero Waste Toy Subscription Service, visit their website greenleaftoys.com and follow them on Instagram @greenleaf.toys and facebook @ greenleaftoys. 

#trgcollab: Our toy rental was a gift by Green Leaf Toys. I use the hashtag #trgcollab to help readers identify items or services that were gifted to me or are a paid post. All views are my own. I only accept gifted items or services I would use personally and believe are helpful to you.