TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — New Taipei’s Toy Bank hosted a delegation from the Australian Toy Library Association to exchange ideas on toy recycling, CNA reported Thursday.

The delegation visited the Toy Bank’s main facility and its secondhand toy center. Officials said the visitors learned how used toys are collected, sorted, repaired, and redistributed for reuse.

The Social Affairs Department said the Toy Bank has recycled more than 280 tonnes of used toys over the past decade. According to the department, the toys have been distributed across Taiwan, to outlying islands, and overseas.

Debbie Williams, executive director of the Australian Toy Library Association, said most toy libraries in Australia are small community-based rental services, UDN reported. She said Taiwan’s public-private model stood out because it processes more than 40 tonnes of toys a year and serves more than 1,000 locations.

Liberty Times reported that Dominique Dumeste, a visiting French participant, joined toy-sorting work during the trip. He said France supports the purchase of recyclable toys through government programs.

Taiwan Toy Library Association Chair Yu Liang-ling (余良玲) said a toy-sharing park in Taoyuan’s Yangmei District is expected to open by the end of the year. Toy Bank Director Chang Wei-ting (張維庭) said about 60% of secondhand toys go to children, while the rest support older adults and people with disabilities.