YoungPlanet app lets parents get FREE toys that would otherwise go to landfill

A MONEY-saving app that lets parents get FREE toys from families who no longer want them is being expanded across the UK.

As well as helping struggling families save cash, YoungPlanet also aims to reduce the amount of toys that end up in landfills.

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It works by letting parents list unwanted items – including toys, clothes, books and baby equipment – for other families to have for free.

Mums and dads don’t have to list anything in order to ask for an item.

You can download the app, which is free to do via the App Store or Google Play, and simply browse for nearby stuff that other families are getting rid of.

The app will ask for your postcode when you register, and it’ll use this to see what is available near you.

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You can use the search bar to browse for anything specific, as well as using filters to sort through items “by distance” or “by date”.

When The Sun looked today, we found a VTech walker being given away, an Ikea high chair, pregnancy pillow and Cow & Gate baby milk.

If you find something you’re interested in, you have to “request” it and send a message to the person who posted it.

It’s then up to the person to decide who they give it to – but as YoungPlanet is a “cashless” app, users can’t request money for any item.

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Once you’ve secured what you want, you’ll need to arrange either picking it up in person, getting it delivered to you, or asking the “giver” to post it.

We’ve asked the people behind the app who would pay for postage – the person who posted the item, or the person who wants it – and we’ll update this article when we know more.

You should always be wary not to fall for scammers if you’re being asked to pay postage for an item.

YoungPlanet was first launched by husband and wife duo Jason and Emma Ash in late 2019, with the pair starting off with a trial in London.

They’ve now expanded to several other areas in the UK – you can see a full list of place where it’s available in the box above.

However, more places are said to be signing up daily, with the app’s creators hoping to have it running in all parts of the UK by January 2021.

If the app isn’t yet available in your area, there are other ways to browse for freebies online.

Freecycle runs a similar platform where you can find people giving away free stuff, while many people post freebie on Gumtree, although people are allowed to sell as well.

Jason said: “As a busy parent, being environmentally-conscious isn’t always the priority and there’s often a higher price to pay for ‘greener’ brands.

“With YoungPlanet, we wanted to make a ‘greener’ and more practical option the logical choice by making it easier for parents to exchange unused or no longer used things. And it’s working!

“We’ve enabled thousands of families to not only declutter sustainably but help other families by giving them access to the things they need or want, for free.”

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For more help for parents, check out how mums and dads can claim £2,000 a year free childcare for kids under 11.

From tax-free childcare to free nursery hours – here’s the childcare help worth £5,000-plus parents may be missing out on.

Pregnant mums could also get £500 grant to help with cost of a new baby – how to apply.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk