Choosing sustainable toys after the Barbie movie
In response to the Barbie film and a culture of consumerism, we can choose sustainable toys that reduce environmental impacts.
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Buy new eco toys.
You can find toys that contain sustainable materials when shopping at mainstream or online specialty stores. Biome provides eco toys that develop children’s skills, understanding and creativity.
Wooden toys
Wood is a natural alternative to plastic. It gets better when brands choose sustainably sourced and recycled materials.
Building blocks
The ACCC has mandatory standards for maximum levels of chemicals that are allowed to be found in children’s toys and finger paints. We can avoid those chemicals more by choosing non-toxic products.
EverEarth Stylish Building Blocks are made with sustainable FSC-certified wood and non-toxic paints.
Shape sorters
When a company makes a toy, where do they source the wood? Do they prevent unnecessary deforestation? How do they treat their workers? The Hevea Kawan Rubberwood Shape Sorter is handcrafted from Sri Lankan decommissioned Fair Trade Rubberwood. Biome adds that the toy “helps empower local women from less privileged communities in Sri Lanka.”
Connect four wooden pieces
I loved playing four in a row as a child. The simple patterns felt neat. Planet Finska Linkki MINI is a wooden version of the game, and it is made to last.
Natural rubber toys
Eco-minded communities have plenty to say about BPA. We can enjoy any opportunity to avoid it. Hevea bath toys contain natural rubber and no BPA. You can find more sustainable toys from this brand on other websites - including the upcycled star ball and Gorm the Grey Whale natural rubber soothing toy.
Second-hand toys
You can prolong the lifecycles of toys and their materials by shopping second-hand. This solution is for everyone, whatever your budget is. Some parents are keen to clear out particular outgrown, unwanted or excessive toys. Those items need to go somewhere. See the options from Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Gumtree, op-shops, pay-it-forward programs, and buy/swap/sell groups.
Image: Unsplash, edited.
