Why Are Toy Materials Such a Minefield?
Our love for toys extends well into adulthood, where most of us continue to choose toys for our kids based on their beautiful colours, patterns, and designs. However, as important (and natural) as it is to want to provide the best for our children, we need to take a closer look at material composition as well, especially when it comes to toys.
Why materials matter
The premise here is simple: your kids spend almost all their free time with their toys. In the presence of toxic or hazardous materials, prolonged exposure can result in long-lasting effects. Just as it's important to be aware of what’s on the ingredients list of the food you’re feeding them, the same level of scrutiny should apply to children’s toys as well.
According to research, there are more than 100 chemicals that pose a health risk to kids. Unfortunately, some of these chemicals are found in cheaply mass-produced toys. This is why it’s important to know exactly what goes into your kids’ toys, in order to protect them from these risks.
More reasons for concern
The thought of giving your kids toys that could be made from harmful chemicals is scary enough – what’s more concerning is that there has been limited response from both the public and private sectors addressing the issue.
Although this is slowly changing (thanks to the organisations and individuals working hard to promote awareness regarding the toxicity of some toys), more can be done to ensure that the toys making their way to the market are completely safe and non-toxic for kids.
Fortunately, more toy manufacturers are taking steps towards adopting toxic-free production models that also double as eco-safe. In fact, three of the largest toy manufacturers in the world are already removing plastic in their products in an effort to become more sustainable.
Tips to keep in mind
With sustainability in mind, it’s also important to support eco-safe toys for your kids by keeping some tips in mind. For one, it’s always wise to do some research before shopping for anything so when you browse at the store, you’ll know exactly what to look out for.
Also, keep in mind that a toy’s popularity doesn’t necessarily guarantee its safeness. The news has its fair share of big brands recalling entire lines of toys upon the discovery of toxic chemicals. Let quality speak for itself when it comes to toys for your kids.
The market for eco-conscious, high-quality toys
With the growing movement towards embracing more eco-conscious toys, more toy makers are already taking steps toward prioritising quality and consumer safety when it comes to product design and manufacturing.
At the end of the day, choosing the right toys based on their materials comes with zero drawbacks. After all, your kids will be enjoying these toys for a long time – they deserve a safe and healthy environment to do so!