Local elves recycle toys year-round
By Jennifer Cox

If you’ve ever looked around the house and wondered what to do with all those toys, games and stuffed animals that no-one is using anymore, you’ll find the answer at Les Lutins Verts. This Montreal company refurbishes used and even broken toys and then resells them. 

Sandra Babin founded the company in 2008 with the goal of raising awareness about recycling, reusing and giving back to those in need. She says that even young children can grasp the idea that a used toy given to Les Lutins Verts and refurbished can then be sold at a reduced price to a family who couldn’t afford a new toy. 

The company has a workshop in the east end of Montreal where toys are cleaned and repaired. Employees use only eco-friendly cleaning materials and carefully check each toy to ensure it is in good working order (for example, they will put together a puzzle to make sure they have all the pieces). Les Lutins Verts also organizes visits to the workshops so people can see the work in progress.

Once the toys have been fixed up, they are sold at the company’s two stores: one in the Plaza St. Hubert, 6214 St. Hubert St. (corner of Bellechasse) and the other at 421 Marien Ave. in east Montreal. Babin says that sales are brisk. “Every day there are new toys on the shelves for all ages, all tastes and all budgets.”

Les Lutins Verts hopes to become financially self-sufficient in 2010 because this is the last year the company will receive grants. Babin is also scouting possible locations for a new store in the western part of Montreal, after a strong demand from families in that area. 

By bringing new life to second-hand toys, Babin hopes to educate the public, particularly kids, about the value of giving back. In addition to the workshop visits, Les Lutins Verts donates toys to various children’s organizations as well as a portion of sales from their stores to Carrefour familial Les Pitchou, a family community group. 

What happens to all the toys at Les Lutins Verts?
5 per cent are unrecoverable because they are too damaged
10 per cent are kept for parts (used to repair or complete other toys) 
30 per cent are distributed to foundations/organizations that help children
55 per cent are sold in their two stores

For more information, visit www.leslutinsverts.ca, which has a list of drop-off sites for donating toys.

  
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