Collections, by Modern Milkman, is doorstep recycling for the things you’ve been meaning to sort out.
We’re starting with two categories: small electricals and toys ( plus, clothing and good condition children’s books)
Here’s how it works:
1. Order a collection bag online Quick checkout. Bag arrives within days.
2. Fill it with toys & clothing your kids have outgrown: Battery-operated toys, electronic games, plastic toys, anything they’ve moved on from.
3. Seal you bag and then leave it on your doorstep (with your empties) the night before your regular delivery day.
4. We collect it during our regular rounds Same trusted drivers. Same reliable service. No special trip required.
5. The toy bags will then be sent to local recycling partner, who will responsibly sort the toys and pass these on to charities such as Toys4life.
No car boot tetris. No weekend trips to the tip. No guilt about the pile in the garage.
Just done.
What toys can you donate?
Each collection bag holds up to 10kg, roughly 10-15 toys depending on size. Enough to make a serious dent in that pile.
Real parents, real relief
We’ve been testing Collections with a small group of our customers. Here’s what they told us:
“I’d been tripping over that box of old toys for six months. Six months! Took me ten minutes to pack the Collections bag and leave it out. Driver collected it Thursday morning. Done. Why did I wait so long?” — Emma, Wellingborough
“The kids were actually excited to help fill the bag once I explained their old toys would be recycled properly. Turned it into a game: ‘which toys have you outgrown?’ Got them involved in the decision instead of me sneaking things out while they’re at school.” — James, Harrow.
“I’ve got three kids. The toy rotation is relentless. Every birthday, every Christmas, more toys come in. Collections means I can actually stay on top of it without spending my Saturdays at the tip.” — Priya, Warrington
That’s what Collections is about. Not creating another task. Removing the friction from a task you’ve been meaning to do anyway.
Why now?
Toy waste is a problem that’s been growing quietly for years.
The UK toy market is worth £3.2 billion annually. Over 38 toys are bought per child each year on average, with 11 of those being Christmas gifts. That’s a lot of plastic, batteries, and packaging flowing into homes.
Around 8.5 million toys are thrown away in the UK every year. Most could have been donated, repaired, or properly recycled. But the system isn’t built for busy families managing packed schedules.
Collections changes that. It meets you where you are—literally at your doorstep—and handles the rest.
We’re starting in January because that’s when the toy mountain is at its peak. New toys have arrived. Old toys need to go. The motivation is there. We’re just removing the friction.
FAQs
What does it cost?£2.50 (inc. VAT) per collection bag. This ensures the following:
-The convenience of not spending your Saturday at the recycling centre
-Doorstep collection logistics using our existing infrastructure (no extra miles used)
–Certified recycling processing by local recycling partners
-Material recovery that diverts waste from landfill
Do my kids’ toys need to be in working condition? Yes, we don’t accept broken toys, toys with missing pieces, and toys that no longer work.
Do you take children’s shoes: Yes, please ensure these are in good condition.
Where do the books go? Books are by Toys4life to https://childrensbookproject.co.uk/
Do I need to be a Modern Milkman customer. Yes,
Can I order multiple bags? Yes. Order as many as you need to tackle the backlog.
Can I subscribe to a weekly collections bag? Currently this is only available as a one time purchase.
What if I have large toys that won’t fit in the bag? The bags must be sealed, so at this stage we can not accept toys left by the bag.
About Modern Milkman
Modern Milkman delivers breakfast essentials from independent British suppliers to thousands of households across the UK. Using reusable glass bottles and regular doorstep delivery, we’re proving that sustainable living doesn’t have to be hard work. Collections is our doorstep recycling service for toys and small electricals, launched in January 2026.
Learn more about Modern Milkman
Sources
-My Green Pod (January 2025): “An estimated 25 million Christmas toys are neglected by UK children by the end of January.” Link: My Green Pod – Christmas waste 2024
Waste Managed (2025): “By the time we reach spring, nearly half (41%) of gifted toys will be broken and end up in landfill” Link: Waste Managed – Christmas Waste Facts
