Buy Wooden Toys, Not Plastic
Toys made from plastics use non-renewable sources and can be difficult to recycle. Every bit of plastic that has ever been made still exists. It may may have crumbled into small particles but it will never biodegrade.
Although some plastics can be recycled most actually require additional plastic to be added for recycling to be possible. Back in 1999 soft plastic teething rings, and other chewable plastic baby toys, were banned due to the content of potentially dangerous phthalates. Tests have shown that large amounts of phthalates, used to make PVC pliable, can cause damage to kidneys, liver and testicles.
Although these chewable toys were banned there are still plenty of squeezy playthings readily available and these all contain those nasty phthalates. Not surprisingly many parents are now choosing traditional, wooden toys for their children.
Wooden toys are made from renewable, sustainable materials and are generally painted bright, appealing colours using non-toxic paint. There are clear health benefits to children due to the absence of phthalates, and there are environment benefits due to the use of renewable resources.
Traditional wooden toys are quickly becoming very fashionable as parents try to minimise their child’s exposure to potentially harmful materials and environmental awareness grows.
Written by Hybrid on March 20th, 2008 with
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#1. March 29th, 2008, at 1:19 AM.
Wooden toys are generally much better quality, durable and just nice to play with. My kids much prefer their wooden toys over most of their plastic ones.