It is not possible to completely avoid plastic toys in our society. Everywhere you go be it a doctors surgery, friends houses etc children are always going to be exposed to the latest and greatest toy and these are all generally plastic and not so great for the environment.
Plastics in toys are not the only concerns so here are a few tips to make your kids toys a little greener!
1. Wood and Bamboo are great choices when buying toys. It’s much easier to get away with wood toys when children are under 2 and this is probably the most important time. Kids under 2 put everything in their mouths especially toys so choosing natural or bamboo from fair trade and sustainable resources is a safe choice for your childs health and the environment.
2. Avoid plastics! As I have said this is hard, but avoiding them as much as you can is all you need to do. Buy toys without PVC as it releases toxins from it’s manufacture right through to it’s resting place in landfill. PVC contains a toxins called Phalates that have been linked to cancer and hormone disruption much like the chemicals used in regular disposable nappies. So try and avoid these toys especially when your child is at the age where they are chewing everything they can get their hands on!
3. Battery free! Battery operated toys are not only annoying to parents but battery waste is one of the biggest environmental hazards in the world. Batteries not only clog landfills but their contents also leak into the ground and contaminate soil and water ways. So rather than buying your child a noisy annoying toy that needs 6 batteries why not find something different and help save the environment?
4. Make your own! Handy with a sewing machine? Craft stores or even Etsy have a great range of soft toy patterns. So why not make some soft toys made from organic fabric. They will be fun to play with and something special to pass down to the next generation … made with love.
5. Recycled! Recycled can mean a lot of things. Recycle old cardboard boxes and use them for craft projects or even egg cartons, wrapping paper rolls and any other bits you have laying around. Buy a new appliance? Why not use the box as a cubby house! Let the kids draw and paint on it and it will provide hours of fun and really cost you nothing!
6. Rotate! When children are small they usually find one or two toys they love and will keep going back to them. So why not rotate toys rather than buying more? Set up a 3 bucket system. Put a selection of toys in each bucket and each fortnight change buckets. The kids will think they have new toys all the time!
7. Great Outdoors! The best fun and the most environmentally friendly activities are generally outside. Why not build a vegie patch or ride bikes? Kick a football around? Enjoy some fresh air and have fun playing while you do it!
As I have always said, life is not perfect all the time. So even using one or two of these ideas will make a difference in the world around you.
Eco Mummy xx