Toying With the planet

Children in Western countries have on average 18 kilos  of plastic toys each

A pile of plastic toys at a toy landfill. (Illustration by News Decoder)

Few sectors use plastic it as extensively as the toy industry.  90% of the world’s new toys contain plastic, which can persist in the environment for up to 500 years and emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.

Some toymakers are beginning to rethink the materials they use in toy production.

Climate change activists are pushing for the development of a circular economy for toys that would increase recycling and reuse of products.

But for now, nearly 80% of all toys end up in landfills, incinerators or  oceans…..mostly because parents don’t know what else to do once their children have outgrown them.

WHAT CAN WE DO? : THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

The holy grail for reducing plastic is a circular economy where toys keep circulating in a use, reuse, recycle  loop. Toys can be shared amongst families and friends, donated and then redistributed to families in need, provided for family centres and schools to establish toy libraries.

Sustainable toys have a long way to go to replace the billions spent on conventional products.  But, as Kermit the Frog said: “It’s not easy being green.”

A SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS

By taking in the discarded pre-loved toys and giving them a new purpose, not only are we saving them from landfill, but we’re also fulfilling the wishes of many children who simply want to wake up on Christmas Day to a visit from Santa.

In times of economic crisis the need for Christmas joy  is greater than ever. A donated toy could help bring Christmas joy to a mum who’s left a violent home with her children and minimal belongings, a family experiencing great financial hardship, or a single parent with multiple children who might have a medical condition. The causes of poverty are complex, but helping a child in need is simple.