Do you want to buy eco-friendly toys for your children? There are many different brands and types of toys available, but not all are good for the environment. You must know what to look out for when buying a toy to be both safe and sustainable.
What to look for in eco-friendly toys
The best eco-friendly toys are made from sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled plastics and natural rubber. These are usually less toxic than traditional plastic. They’re also more durable, so they last longer.
Sustainable brands often use less packaging than other types of toys, which means they have less impact on the environment. These products might cost more upfront, but they save money and resources by lasting longer and requiring fewer replacements in the long run.
Here are some of the leading brands that are doing their part to achieve a sustainable future:
LEGO
By 2025 all LEGO packaging will be made from renewable or recycled materials as efficiently as possible, and will be easy for consumers to recycle.
The famous building blocks already come in packaging made up of 75 per cent recycled materials, and the company has eliminated the use of single-use plastics. Plastic bags have also been phased out at LEGO stores around the world.
Mattel
This is a vast umbrella brand that includes Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, Bob the Builder, DC Comics, Disney, Jurassic World, Matchbox, Mega Bloks, Minecraft and much more in its portfolio. Mattel has also outlined sustainability as a “corporate focus”, with various changes made across its different brands.
Some of the sustainability measures announced by Mattel include:
- 100 per cent recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials in all products and packaging by 2030
- Reducing greenhouse emissions, minimising waste and conserving water across manufacturing operations
- Recycling schemes like Mattel PlayBack, which takes back old toys to create new ones
Hasbro
This giant is an award-winner for its sustainability efforts, taking out gold at the Play for Change Awards for its recycling program. In 2019, Hasbro announced an aggressive campaign to eliminate all plastic packaging for new products by 2022. On top of that, around 90 per cent of all Hasbro cardboard packaging is made from recycled materials.
Hasbro has been using almost 100 per cent renewable energy to manufacture its products since 2018 through the use of solar technology and the purchase of renewable energy certificates. Emissions have been reduced, and carbon offsets have been purchased for the remainder. Hasbro is easily one of the leaders in the industry when it comes to sustainable practices.
Seek out green options
While the industry giants are moving towards a sustainable future, numerous smaller brands are popping up with completely green solutions. Don’t be afraid to explore these brands and shun any company that trades heavily in single-use plastics without a clear sustainability focus.
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