Wooden toys are often touted as one of the safest options when it comes to toys for children and the environment, but why? Are they really better than the alternatives? A lot of times, the answer is yes. Most wooden toys are free of many of the toxins that are sometimes found in plastic toys and, if carefully manufactured, they will be welcome to Earth at the end of their life, rather than having their broken parts left in a landfill forever. In general terms, wooden toys are more environmentally friendly than plastic toys because of their biodegradable nature and their recyclability. Instead of filling landfills with man-made products, you can buy toys for your child that will contribute to the environment.
Every time you give your child a wooden toy, you contribute to saving our planet and, as a result, you are transmitting these values to your child. As an organic, renewable and sustainably sourced product, of course, wooden toys are a much more environmentally friendly option than plastic. The landscape of indoor gyms, play areas and water slides is comprised of plastics that don't dent quickly and aren't insured, designed solely to help very young children. This means that plastic products have a short lifespan.
In fact, the average plastic toy ends up in the landfill after six months. It may be due to poor quality and breakages, or because the child is no longer interested in the toy. They tend to be less robust than their wooden counterparts, break more easily and cannot withstand weathering or continuous use over time. Toys as simple as wooden building blocks can be used in many ways: stack them, build, count, tear down and create small worlds.
One of the best things about high-quality wooden toys is that they also serve as heirloom pieces to be passed on to other siblings and even to future generations. Wood is naturally sustainable and environmentally friendly, so buying more toys made of wood supports the wider use of natural materials. Wooden toys are much more environmentally friendly than most types of toys, as they tend to be biodegradable, recyclable and much easier to recycle. While wooden toys may be more expensive up front, you won't have to replace them as often as plastic toys, saving you money.
Wooden toys are more sustainable, more environmentally friendly and healthier for children from a developmental and physical point of view due to the high levels of toxic chemicals involved in the manufacture of plastic toys. Wooden toys are BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free, making them a great choice for parents looking to avoid chemicals. And, since wooden toys don't require batteries or have electrical systems that break down, you'll save even more money and frustration. Making wooden toys with trees that don't produce is a great way to use materials that would otherwise be discarded.
These plastic toys, which are too commercialized and full of some kind of electronic element, offer very little creative play. It's the mother in me, because I want you to buy toys that are safe, that stand the test of time and toys that your child will love now and in their adult life. This is why there is SELDOM much commercial publicity surrounding wooden toys, because they have been enjoyed for generations. There are so many different toys available that it can sometimes seem like an overwhelming choice when it comes to selecting a new toy.
Most of it comes from plastic bottles, but broken plastics and waste materials from other things, such as toys, also contribute to that percentage.
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