Be a Sustainable Santa
Santa is coming down the chimney with lots of toys! But are his toys sustainable?
B. Toys mini riders, Cuddle + Kind dolls, Tender Leaf cottage, Le Toy Van fruit crate, Green Toys dump truck, and Uncle Goose blocks.
Toy production is a $90 billion industry, and 40 tons of plastic are used for every $1 million in revenues. According to The World Counts, “the toy industry is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world.”
Did You Know?
1 in 2 toys are sent to the landfill
80% of plastic toys end up in landfills
90% of toys are made from plastic
Plastic toy waste contributes to 6% of the world’s plastic landfill waste
The average family disposes of 70lbs of toys annually
Therefore, once a kid has stopped playing with a toy, it is most likely sent to a landfill, adding to our ever-growing waste on Earth. Not only do plastic toys harm the Earth, but they can harm us too. Plastic toys can contain BPA, phthalates, lead, and other harmful chemicals.
Watch out for greenwashing when buying toys. Some companies use eye-catching words for their toys, such as “natural”, “eco-friendly”, or “green”, but these may not be great environmentally friendly choices. When shopping for sustainable toys, look for these certifications: “OEKO-TEX Standard 100”, “GOTS”, and “FSC” to know for sure that the toys are non-toxic, sustainable, and organic.
Instead of buying new toys, it is always best to check out second-hand shops, toy drives, yard sales, or friends who no longer want their toys. This gives the toys a second life before they are sent to the landfill.
If you are shopping for new sustainable toys this year, check out these brands!
These toys are made with eco-friendly materials such as wood, natural rubber, recycled plastic, organic cotton, recyclable or compostable paper, non-toxic paint, rubberwood, and water-based dyes.
Make sure to look through your old toys and donate them to those in need! If a toy needs fixing, recruit some elves to help you fix it instead of throwing it away!
Alternatives to toys
Kayaking at Ijams Nature Center, playing at Muse Knoxville, rock climbing at Onsight, ziplining at Navitat, golfing at Sir Goony’s, and seeing animals at Zoo Knoxville.
If you don’t want to gift a toy, you can always gift their favorite snacks, books, or plants. Another great idea is to gift experiences! Check out some local Knoxville experiences that are great for kids: