Toys are becoming greener and more social
This year, the toy fair had planned a special area consisting of four categories in Hall 3A for the theme of Green Toys: Made by Nature (wood, cork and bamboo), Inspired by Nature (bio-plastic), Recycle & Create (upcycling ideas) and Discover Sustainability (learning through experiment kits). And even though the trade fair was finally canceled again, the megatrend of sustainability continues. German consumers want to know exactly what they are buying and who is behind it. Do you know that too?
Manufacturers are looking for alternative raw materials
Some manufacturers are already trying to avoid fossil fuels such as crude oil or coal in the production of plastic toys and replace them with sustainable bioplastics, e.g. based on sugar cane. This includes the Danish manufacturer Dantoy with his outdoor and sand toys, which are now also on the rise in Germany. In addition, some companies have discovered recycling PET bottles for themselves. Bauer toys creates stuffed animals out of plastic bottles with its I love my planet line, the Dutch manufacturer Fresk offers lovingly designed kindergarten backpacks.
Study on sustainability
According to one AIJU study Almost 70% of 2,800 families with children between 0 and 11 years of age from Europe, USA and China said that they had had positive experiences with sustainable toys. Half would even be willing to pay at least 5% more for sustainably produced toys and 56% pay particular attention to quality seals and certificates when buying.
Germans want to know what they're buying
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We Germans in particular question production conditions, materials and origin of products. Over 70% of parents pay attention to safety and quality when buying toys. How they recognize pollutants and which seals they should pay attention to is made by Consumer Center transparent on their website. In addition, who stands behind the brand and the product plays a more important role today than ever before. Can consumers identify with the company's values, what is the score of social responsibility, the so-called “social responsibility”, are the production conditions fair, etc. We at blatterTPR have been supporting the publishing house since last year Big Potato Games from the UK, which makes sustainable party games. For every game sold, one tree is planted in the magrove forests, and the company tries to reduce its CO2 footprint by using as little plastic as possible. In my opinion, such measures make a significant contribution to environmental responsibility and lead to products being purchased with a clear conscience.
conclusion
The toy industry is consistently becoming greener. I myself pay more attention to what I buy since little Sam came into the world. German parents are critical and only want the best for their child. They are also willing to spend more for it. This includes safe and environmentally friendly toys. Some manufacturers have already started retrofitting and converting productions. There is still a lot to be done, but there are already ways to change the way we think. Let's hope that more thought will be taken in the future, because there is only one Earth. And that's where we live. Yet. What do you attach particular importance to when buying toys and products for your little ones?
