

Take a Toy, Leave a Toy, Love the Ocean

Did you know?

High tides sweep plastic toys from the beach into the marine ecosystem where they can be mistaken for food by aquatic animals or end up contributing to ocean plastic patches

Over 700 species of aquatic animals (including whales, dolphins and sea lions) are known to ingest or become entangled in ocean plastic annually–leading many to become injured or die

HDPE, a plastic used in many sand toys, persists in the environment for up to 600 years
Our Initiatives

Sand Toy Recycle Stations
The Sand Toy Recycle Project, a 501(c)3, is dedicated to reducing ocean plastic pollution by providing "Take a Toy, Leave a Toy" stations for children's sand toys at beaches. Our mission is to protect marine life, educate beachgoers about ocean plastic pollution, and help every child enjoy the beach with access to free, reused toys.

Educational Campaigns
We conduct educational campaigns to raise awareness about the impact of plastic toys left on the sand and the harm they cause to marine ecosystems. Through engaging activities, we inspire children and adults to become part of the solution.

Community Engagement
Here in San Diego, California, we are building a community of environmentally conscious individuals committed to keeping plastic toys out of the marine ecosystem. We invite you to join us in this mission by partnering with us at a beach near you.
Our Approach
The Sand Toy Recycle Project's mission is to reduce plastic pollution's devastating impact on marine life by providing "Take a Toy, Leave a Toy" stations wrapped with informative graphics at beaches. These stations encourage beachgoers to deposit and reuse sand toys so that they do not become ocean pollution at high tide. In this way, we hope to both safeguard marine life and help every child enjoy the beach with access to free, reused sand toys.
