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CC BY 4.0 · Sustainability & Circularity NOW 2025; 02: a25738285
DOI: 10.1055/a-2573-8285
Short Review

The Hidden Risks of Recycled Plastic Toys: A Literature Review on Legacy Additives and Child Safety

Maria Santos‡
1   Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
,
Evelyn Araripe‡
1   Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
2   Postgraduate Program in Education, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil
,
Lotta Hohrenk-Danzouma 
1   Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
,
Vânia G. Zuin Zeidler 
1   Institute of Sustainable Chemistry, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Lüneburg, Germany
› Author Affiliations Funding Information The authors would like to thank the School of Sustainability, Leuphana University Lüneburg for supporting this work project.
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Abstract

The presence of harmful legacy additives in plastic toys poses risks to children’s health and limits the possibilities for reuse of second-hand toys and the recycling of plastic toys. This review article examines the lifecycle of plastic toys and the persistence of hazardous chemicals, including phthalates and brominated flame retardants. Difficulties in recycling practices due to heterogeneous material composition and the perpetuation of a ‘risk cycle’ of toxic legacy additives are discussed. The review identified significant regulatory gaps, particularly in toys manufactured outside the EU, and revealed the ongoing circulation of toxic substances in both new and second-hand toys. This study highlights the necessity of addressing chemical risks in toys within the context of a circular economy and indicates opportunities for advancing sustainable practices in the toy industry. By evaluating regulatory gaps and recycling practices, the study emphasises the need for stricter enforcement, enhanced consumer awareness, and sustainable waste management strategies to promote a safer circular economy.

Keywords

Legacy additives - Toy safety - Plastic recycling - Chemical risk assessment - Sustainable chemistry

Declaration of use of AI

The authors declare the use of DeepL Write to improve the English written language.




Publication History

Received: 19 December 2024

Accepted after revision: 13 March 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
02 April 2025

Article published online:
05 May 2025

© 2025. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

Bibliographical Record
Maria Santos, Evelyn Araripe, Lotta Hohrenk-Danzouma, Vânia G. Zuin Zeidler. The Hidden Risks of Recycled Plastic Toys: A Literature Review on Legacy Additives and Child Safety. Sustainability & Circularity NOW 2025; 02: a25738285.
DOI: 10.1055/a-2573-8285
 

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