Life Science Studies: Engineering Design
"Toys Go Green" was the idea behind a 2022 toy fair. It was held in Germany. Many toys at the fair were made with sustainable materials. These are called "green" toys. This was not the first time the fair showed these toys. It showed them as far back as 2011.
Today toymakers want to make kids think about where energy comes from. They want kids to think about how much energy they use. Toymakers also want kids to know about renewable energy. Some green toys teach about this.
The 2011 toy fair had many green toys. There were toy cars powered by water. There were dollhouses with wind turbines. The dollhouses showed how to use the wind to create electricity. Other dollhouses had rainwater catchers. Those showed how to use rain for water.
More and more people want sustainable toys. That's even though these toys can cost a lot. They cost more than other toys. It costs more to make them. That's because organic and sustainable materials cost more. Yet a 2011 survey found that many people would pay more for these toys.
Rainer Weisskirch said green toys are worth the money. He worked for TÜV Rheinland. This group tests products for safety. He said that sustainable toys are well made. They last longer than other toys.
Robert von Goeben agreed. He started Green Toys Inc. His company makes toys from recycled milk jugs. The company has done well. "There [are] clearly [many people] that will pay a little more for environmentally friendly toys," he said.
He noted that some people worry about toy safety. Some plastic toys have dangerous materials. Parents care about what goes into their kids' toys.
Stacy Lu is a parent. She said she is always looking for environmentally friendly toys. She likes toys that make kids think about the planet's future.
Von Goeben believes that more parents will make the same choices. He thinks they will want more environmentally friendly toys. "Parents are smart," he said. "They want information about what's in the product."
Information for this story came from AP.
Dig Deeper
Children can take care of Earth. How? They can think about how energy is made. They can think about how much energy they use. Children can also play with "green" toys. These toys conserve resources. They also protect the environment.
People are becoming more interested in sustainable practices. Toy makers and other companies are, too. How can we practice sustainability? We can reduce resource use. We can create less waste. We can also develop new technologies. Many resources are limited. Some businesses are practicing sustainability. Some governments are, too.
Organic farmers don't use fertilizers made from fossil fuels. They use natural fertilizers. The U.S. has both timber and conservation needs. Foresters try to balance these. They work to conserve soil and water. They work to preserve wildlife and biodiversity as well.
Energy companies also promote sustainability. Many have developed alternative energies. These don't come from fossil fuels. Alternative energy takes on different forms. Not every type can be found in all places.
Think about the article. How are older plastic toys and green toys the same?
They are both made with recycled materials.
They are both tested for safety.
They both use water or wind as a power source.
They both have dangerous materials.
1 answer
The correct answer is: They are both tested for safety.
Older plastic toys and green toys can both undergo testing to ensure they meet safety standards, but green toys are specifically distinguished by their sustainable materials and environmental focus.
