We checked each toy against the manufacturer's published information about its materials and against Australian retailer listings. To be included, a toy needed known recycled, recyclable or natural materials, reasonable toughness for its type, and a recyclable or biodegradable end of life. We haven't tested these toys ourselves.
Looking for a free option? See our DIY dog toys guide, with six toys you can make from things you already have.
Dog toys create a lot of waste that never breaks down. Cheap PVC and latex toys add to landfill, and as dogs chew them apart, they can swallow fragments and the chemical softeners (plasticisers) some of these toys contain. Choosing eco-friendly toys is a simple way to reduce both problems. This guide looks at four of the best eco-friendly, recycled and low-impact toys available in Australia.
What we looked for
We checked each toy against what the manufacturer publishes about its materials and against Australian retailer listings. To be included, a toy needed:
Known materials: made from verified recycled PET plastic, a recyclable non-toxic material, or natural fibres such as hemp.
Reasonable toughness: able to handle chewing without falling apart straight away, for its type of toy.
A responsible end of life: recyclable or biodegradable when it’s worn out.
The four toys compared
| Toy | Made from | Toughness | When it’s worn out |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Paw Zogoflex (Toppl / Jive) | West Paw’s own recyclable plastic (TPE) | Jive: very tough (strong chewers). Toppl: moderate chewers | Recyclable |
| Beco Pets Rough & Tough | 60-80% recycled plastic bottles (rPET) | Moderate (soft toy) | General waste (but made from recycled material) |
| Beco Pets Hemp Rope | 37% hemp, 63% recycled cotton | Moderate (supervised tug and fetch) | Biodegradable |
| Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop | Recyclable plastic (TPE) | Low (supervised puzzle play) | Recyclable |
1. West Paw Zogoflex (Toppl and Jive): the best all-rounder
Type: recyclable, non-toxic plastic (TPE)
Made in the USA and easy to buy in Australia, West Paw’s Zogoflex toys are made with a zero-waste process, and the toys themselves can be recycled.
Key features: free of BPA and phthalates, and meets US FDA food-contact standards. Top-rack dishwasher safe for a proper clean. Floats, and is flexible enough to be gentle on teeth during fetch.
Our take: a great starting point. The Toppl is an excellent treat puzzle for moderate chewers, and the Jive ball is very tough, ideal for energetic dogs that love fetch.
[ Check the current price on Amazon AU ]
[ Check availability at Pet Circle ]
2. Beco Pets Rough & Tough: recycled soft toys
Type: soft toys made from recycled plastic bottles
Beco Pets is a certified B Corporation. Its Rough & Tough soft toys are made from 60 to 80% recycled plastic bottles (up to 15 per toy), turning plastic waste into a tougher-than-usual soft toy.
Key features: recycled polyester fabric and stuffing, double-layered fabric and double-stitched seams to help keep the squeaker inside for longer.
Our take: the best choice for dogs that love soft toys but are fairly rough on them. No soft toy is indestructible, but these typically last much longer than ordinary pet-shop soft toys. Very strong chewers will still get through them, so supervise play.
[ Check the current price on Amazon AU ]
3. Beco Pets Hemp Rope: natural and biodegradable
Type: biodegradable tug rope
Nylon rope toys can shed long threads that a dog may swallow, which can cause serious gut blockages. Beco’s Hemp Rope uses a blend of hemp, grown with little water and no pesticides, and recycled cotton.
Key features: 37% hemp and 63% recycled cotton, tightly woven. The rough texture gives teeth a light scrub during play.
Our take: great for tug games together. As the rope wears, the short hemp fibres are much less risky if swallowed than long nylon threads. Supervise play and put it away afterwards.
[ Check availability at Pet Circle ]
4. Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop: an indoor puzzle
Type: recyclable treat puzzle
Like Zogoflex, Orbee-Tuff is a recyclable plastic (TPE). The Snoop is a puzzle ball: your dog has to roll and push the flexible ball to get treats or kibble out.
Key features: non-toxic, recyclable and mint-scented. Made for supervised puzzle play, not heavy chewing.
Our take: a great way to tire out an energetic dog indoors on wet days or when you’re short of time. The see-through material lets your dog watch the treats move, which keeps them interested for longer.
[ Check the current price on Amazon AU ]
Common questions
Are cheap plastic toys bad for my dog’s health?
Some cheap plastic and vinyl toys contain BPA and phthalates, chemicals that are linked to hormone disruption in other animals. Research on long-term effects in dogs is limited, but choosing toys that are clearly labelled BPA-free and phthalate-free is a simple, low-cost precaution, especially for toys your dog chews every day.
What should I do with eco-friendly toys when they wear out?
Ordinary plastic toys sit in landfill for centuries. For eco-friendly toys:
Hemp and natural rubber: can go in a home compost bin.
Zogoflex and other TPE toys: clean them and check with your council or a local recycler whether they accept TPE plastics. West Paw runs a return program in some countries, but it isn’t fully available in Australia yet.
Can eco-friendly toys handle strong chewers?
Some can, if you pick the right material. Recycled soft toys won’t survive a determined Staffy or German Shepherd. But dense recyclable toys like the West Paw Jive ball are built for tough chewers and often outlast ordinary rubber toys.
Energetic, fetch-loving breeds that suit these toys include the Border Collie, Labrador Retriever and Australian Kelpie.
| Category | Eco-friendly dog toys |
| Materials | Recycled PET, recyclable TPE, hemp and recycled cotton |
| Region | Australia (national) |
| What We Checked | Materials, toughness, end of life |
| Toys Compared | 4 |
| Checked | March 2026 |
Are cheap plastic dog toys bad for my dog's health?+
Some cheap plastic and vinyl toys contain BPA and phthalates, chemicals linked to hormone disruption in other animals. Research on long-term effects in dogs is limited, but choosing toys labelled BPA-free and phthalate-free is a simple precaution, especially for toys your dog chews every day.
What should I do with eco-friendly dog toys when they wear out?+
Hemp and natural rubber toys can go in a home compost bin. Zogoflex and other TPE toys should be cleaned, then check with your council or a local recycler whether they accept TPE plastics, as most kerbside bins don't. West Paw runs a return program in some countries, but it isn't fully available in Australia yet.
Can eco-friendly toys handle strong chewers?+
Some can, if you choose the right material. Recycled soft toys won't survive a determined Staffy or German Shepherd. But dense recyclable toys like the West Paw Jive ball are made for tough chewers and often outlast ordinary rubber toys.
Can I buy these toys from Australian retailers?+
Yes. All four are sold by Australian retailers, including Amazon AU, Pet Circle and specialist eco pet stores. Beco Pets products are also stocked by retailers such as Budget Pet Products and Pet City. Some Amazon listings ship from overseas, so check the delivery details if you need it quickly.
Is natural rubber safer than synthetic rubber for dogs?+
Natural rubber is generally considered a lower-risk choice. Good-quality natural rubber contains no BPA, phthalates or PVC softeners. It does break down faster in sunlight, though, so store natural rubber toys out of the sun to make them last longer.
| RANK | PRODUCT | CATEGORY | STATUS |
| #1 | West Paw Zogoflex (Toppl & Jive) | Top Pick | READ REVIEW → |
| #2 | Beco Pets Rough & Tough Range | Best Recycled | READ REVIEW → |
| #3 | Beco Pets Hemp Rope | Best Biodegradable | READ REVIEW → |
| #4 | Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Snoop | Best Cognitive | PENDING |