Toys That Teach

Question

Life Science Studies: Engineering Design

Imagine toys that are not only fun but also teach children about taking care of the planet. "Toys Go Green" was the theme of the 2022 Nuremberg Toy Fair. This is an international assembly of toy manufacturers and sellers. The fair showcased toys made with materials such as sustainable cork and bamboo. Other toys were made from bioplastics. These are more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based plastics. There were also toys made from recycled raw materials and toys that teach children about the environment. But this is not the first time that the yearly fair has promoted "green" toys. As far back as 2011, manufacturers at the fair promoted sustainable toys.

The toy fair's host country, Germany, has many renewable energy initiatives. Toymakers there want to make kids think about where energy comes from and how much of it they use. Green toys raise awareness about these real issues through play.

The 2011 toy fair boasted a wide variety of high-tech green toys. For example, it displayed hydroelectric toy cars that used water to generate power. The fair also featured dollhouses with wind turbines that showed how to use the wind to create electricity for homes. Other dollhouses had rainwater catchers to teach kids how to recycle rain as a water source.

In 2020, sustainable toys made up about 15 percent of the global toy market. Experts predict even more growth. That's even though these toys can cost more than similar conventional toys. Their organic or recycled materials are more expensive. Yet a survey conducted at the 2011 fair found that roughly a third of consumers in Germany would be willing to pay more for sustainable playthings.

"Sustainable toys are...high-quality toys, meaning they last longer, and then we also have the aspect that it is worth it to invest [a little more money]," said Rainer Weisskirch, a former spokesperson for TÜV Rheinland. The German organization tests products for safety and quality.

Robert von Goeben was the co-founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Green Toys Inc. His company crafts toys and other children's products from recycled milk jugs. Within a few years of opening their business, Green Toys' sales jumped 80 percent. They quickly became the leading manufacturer of environmentally friendly products made specifically for children.

"I think that the success of our company shows that there is clearly a wide segment of the population that will pay a little more for environmentally friendly toys," said von Goeben.

Von Goeben noted that safety concerns play a role in his company's success. He said that some plastic toys were found to contain high levels of potentially dangerous substances. This has caused parents to pay more attention to what goes into their kids' toys.

Stacy Lu, a mother of twins from Allendale, New Jersey, said she is always looking for eco-friendly products. She likes the idea of toys that make kids think about the planet's future. She wants kids to be taught about the energy sources that don't harm the environment.

Von Goeben believes that the number of concerned parents will grow and that the sales of environmental toys will ensue, stating, "Parents are smart, and they want information about what's in the product—that's what's really driving the market."

Dig Deeper
Consumers, and the companies they buy from, are expressing increased interest in sustainability, and not just for toys. Sustainable products can deliver high quality while simultaneously reducing harm to ecosystems. There are several ways companies can achieve sustainability goals. They can use fewer resources or create less waste. They can develop new technologies to make their products more environmentally friendly. Sustainability is also an important consideration if the materials used to manufacture a product are in limited supply.

Farming is another sector in which sustainability is becoming more important. Organic farms avoid pesticides and fertilizers made from fossil fuels. They use natural pest controls as alternatives, such as ladybugs, which eat aphids. They use natural fertilizers, such as compost. Natural forest management balances the need for wood products with the need to conserve the forest ecosystem's wildlife and biodiversity, as well as its soil and water quality.

Many energy companies are developing alternative energy sources that can replace fossil fuels. There are many different forms of alternative energy. Different types are suited to specific places, depending on the resources available.

Areas with fairly constant winds and available open space can install wind farms. A wind farm is a collection of wind turbines. The wind turbines convert the energy of moving air into electrical power.
Other areas can be used to generate solar energy. Panels of solar cells convert the sun's energy into electricity to power homes and businesses. In some parts of the world, fields of large mirrors are used to concentrate the energy from sunlight to heat water into steam to run generators. Solar panels can also be used at a smaller scale. For instance, a solar panel could be installed on the roof of a home to heat water for laundry and showers.
Some communities in New Zealand, Japan, and the United States generate electricity by harnessing the heat of molten rock from deep inside the Earth. This heat is used in geothermal power plants.
Hydroelectric power is used all over the world. This method converts the energy of moving water into electricity.
Producing sustainable toys might only save small amounts of energy and resources, but even small sustainable changes can make a difference. And these toys teach children how energy is produced and how much energy they use. Children who play with these toys are likely to grow into adults who are more aware of their own energy use. By playing with toys that protect the environment and conserve resources, children may grow up adopting similar values.

The best alternate headline for this article would be __________.

Toy Fair Features Exciting New Wave of Sustainable Products
Toys with Increased Durability Hit the Market in Germany
Toy Fair Features Products That Are More Expensive
Toys Teach Children About Investing in Manufacturing

Answer 1

The best alternate headline for this article would be Toy Fair Features Exciting New Wave of Sustainable Products. This headline captures the focus of the article on the showcase of eco-friendly toys and the growing interest in sustainability within the toy industry.