5 reasons to buy toys that are made from natural materials
We all know that using natural materials makes the Earth a better place for everyone. This applies to all aspects of our lives, including the toys we buy for our children. Aside from being better for the environment, there are numerous advantages to purchasing eco-friendly natural toys.
Let’s take a look at five compelling reasons to prefer natural wooden toys over plastic ones. If you’re on the fence about buying a toy, we hope these answers help!
Why Do Sustainable Toys Matter?
In a world increasingly suffering from the devastating consequences of environmental destruction caused by human activity, sustainability and caring for the natural world are critical if we are to provide a healthy, green, and peaceful future for future generations. Every day, both manufacturers and consumers make sustainable or non-sustainable decisions across all industries, including the toy industry.
The global toy industry is vast; millions of toys are produced and sold each year to meet the demands of a growing population; the choices made by adults when purchasing toys for children have an indirect impact on support for conservation and sustainability initiatives. As with any industry, supply exists only where there is demand – unsustainable toy manufacturing will continue to thrive as long as consumers purchase such products.
The toys we choose for our children are important because play is an important part of child development and a natural instinct in all children, regardless of ethnicity or social background. Children should always be allowed to play properly, both alone and with other children, and what they play with has an impact not only on their development but also on the planet.
- Kids chew toys!
Children, especially babies, use their mouths to explore everything. Plastic toys, particularly those made cheaply and without regard for safety, can cause irreversible harm to their developing minds and bodies. Toxic chemicals found in plastic toys include Biphenyl A and phthalates, which are known endocrine disrupters linked to birth defects, autoimmune disease, neurological and reproductive damage. A wooden toy is a risk-free alternative!
- Purchasing organic toys helps small businesses and big dreams.
Toys made from natural materials are typically created by local artisans and help to support small businesses. Not only will you be helping to preserve a tradition, but each handmade toy will have its own unique quirkiness that mass-produced plastic toys lack. Every piece is one-of-a-kind, made with love and care, and your child will notice the difference!
- Wooden toys are more secure, long-lasting, and easier to repair.
Plastic toys are convenient because wooden toys can be costly. However, keep in mind that wooden toys last longer, are easier to repair, and are frequently passed down through generations. Not only that, but they are charming and aesthetically pleasing, and many of them are easily collectible.
- Wooden and cloth toys have a lower environmental impact.
As previously stated, wooden toys last longer. Wooden and cloth toys are also renewable and biodegradable in nature, making them not only safer for babies and toddlers, but also better for the environment!
- Natural toys can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
Plastic toys take hundreds of years to degrade in landfills, releasing toxic chemicals into the soil. Purchasing natural wooden toys for babies and toddlers will assist you in lowering your carbon footprint and instilling values of sustainable living in your children. When you buy locally, you reduce your carbon footprint by saving money on transportation and logistics. This added benefit that simple toys provide is a priceless gift to the entire world!
In addition to eco-friendly toys, you can help the environment by taking simple steps such as conserving water, planting trees, and considering the environmental impact of your daily activities. Let us all make a commitment to making the world a better place for everyone.