“Green” was definately a reoccuring theme this year at the Nuremberg Toy Fair. Every exhibitor seemed to have added new “eco-friendly” products to their selection. Wood toys, recycled paper or cardboard, non-toxic dyes, intellegent packaging – you name it and it was present at the fair! Furthermore, there were also toys themselves dedicated to educating children about the importance of recycling and the different ways it can be done.
One of the best examples of this new trend in toy making can be found in the US company, Green Toys. First of all, it is not easy to find a toy that is not made in China. Guess where Green Toys has its factories? California. It is based on a simple principle – to locally turn old plastic milk cartons into toys thus reducing emisions during transportation and converting hundreds of tons of “trash” into toys. Furthermore, even the packaging is made from 100% recycled cardboard which in turn is also completely recycable. This means no cellophane or plastic ties to hold the toys in place.
In 2010, the Green Toy Stacker won two prestigious awards: the Parents Magazine 55 Best toys award and the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award. This simple toy is a green version of an old classic!
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