Kampanj för giftfria leksaker

When preparing last year to start the eco-toy webshop "Touffie... lek för en grönare värld", I was concerned not only about the social and environmental issues related to toy production, but very much about toy safety and effects it has on children.

Searching a lot to find out who, if anyone here in Sweden, is covering issues related to toy-children safety and had only found (formal) information on "Kemikalieninspektionen" and "Konsumentverket" sites. It seems there is no other organisation (NGOs) dealing with these issues here. I was glad to learn about "Women in Europe for Common Future"(WECF) which I contacted and since February this year, and we have very good co-operation.

WECF is a pan-European non-governmental organisation, a network of 100 women, environment and health organisations working on improving environmental health in 40 countries. They have offices in Germany, France and The Netherlands.

I was so pleased when I learned that prior to the European Parliament voting for the new Toy Safety Directive (December 2008), WECF organised a campaign to raise awareness on the lack of good legislation to protect children from hazardous chemicals in toys, including the proposal for the new Toy Safety Directive.

According to WECF, the new Toy Safety Directive will NOT sufficiently protect the children by still allowing hazardous chemicals (eg. phthalates, brominated flame-retardants, lead, etc.), at levels which scientists say can not be proven safe.


“WECF invited 2 laboratories to come and test toys which parents brought to the press actions, showing how most toys brought by parents contained, among others the class-3 carcinogen formaldehyde, and often also solvents, benzene, and halogenated substances, like brominated flame-retardants.

WECF invited medical experts who advised on preventative action which parents could take. Unfortunately, parents have no information about the types of hazardous chemicals in the toys which their children play with. Some experts suggested not to keep toys in the same room where children sleep, others to let the toys remain outside on a balcony for at least a week, or longer, to allow some of the dangerous substances to leach out of the toys. Others recommended avoiding electronic toys of unknown brands which do not have a policy to substitute dangerous chemicals. And it was recommended to prefer hard plastic over soft plastic, in order to avoid phthalates. Even dolls which have been tested by consumer organisations such as the German Öko-Test institute were found to contain phthalates! Furthermore, it was suggested not to buy toys made of plywood, but only of solid wood, as the glue used for many wooden puzzles, for example, emit formaldehyde.

Concerned parents in Germany can currently only choose from a few toys labelled by “spielgut“, read various test magazines (like Stiftung Warentest and Öko-Test) or trust their own senses. If its smells or feels bad then its probably something which shouldn’t be put in your child’s arms.”

The WECF's actions in Munich, Utrecht, Paris and Annemasse were widely covered by the French newspaper "Le Monde", the first TV station in Germany "ARD" and also "Bayerischer Rundfunk", the commuter papers "METRO" in both the Netherlands and France, the Dutch newspaper "TROUW", and the national evening news television channel "France 3".

Finally, I regret not seeing any similar actions in Sweden but most of all, I am disappointed by the lack of serious interest of media (including some thourough research) on such important issues such as toy safety for our children!
Read more...

Leksaksåtervinning

So far I have not found figures for Sweden but did you know that more than 40 million toys were thrown away last year in the UK? I am sure the number must be high here in Sweden as well.

Of these 40 million, 13 million toys ended up in the dustbin and landfill sites.

Difficult to believe, right? I must admit I was quite shocked when I learnt this, especially as I have an ecological toy web shop. These toys might well be ethical but they are not ethical if they end up in our landfills when a child does not want to play with them any longer or has grown out of them.

When children receive new toys they are a source of endless fun and amusement. One can see a happy smile on their faces as the toy is something new to play with. Children do not really care whether toys are brand new or not. They are new to them and that is all that matters. When a toy is outgrown by a child, it can be turned into a “new toy” for another child who will again see it as a new source of endless fun.


So, instead of throwing away “old” toys, they can be donated for a good cause (to another child, to a charity, or simply sold). Children can also get involved by being asked to sort out which toys they do not want play with anymore. After that, it can be decided together with the child - regarding where/who to donate the toys to. This is an opportunity to discuss issues relating to the environment and recycling as well as helping good causes.

But, of course, toys also can break. Sometimes an “old” toy can be repaired. If this is possible (but still having in mind child-safety), it might request some skills and free time. But if possible, I think it is worth it, both for the child and for our environment.

And we should not forget Christmas - the period of the year for which 70% of the total world toy production takes place. Before Christmas is the best time to get children to go through their toys and sort them out. You can say to your child that Christmas is going to bring more toys so she/he need to make space for the new ones. Then we can decide together what to do with the toys. Maybe to donate them to children who are not as lucky as ourselves? However, do not forget to take the irreparably broken toys to the local central municipal recycling plant.

• Having all this in mind, here are some tips on how toys can be Recycled – Reused – Reduced – Repaired:

• Repair the broken or half broken toys when possible, but always have in mind the safety of the child.

• Take the irreparably broken toys to the local central municipal recycling plant.

• Recycle for a good cause. Toys can be donated to charity organisations or community groups.

• Reuse toys by exchanging them among your family, friends, neighbours…
Organise a Toy-for-Toy party and invite friends-family-neighbours over with their children’s “unwanted” toys. All kids will get “new” toys that cost no money and have no costs for our environment!

• Selling toys as second hand ones is nothing new. However, do not forget to check in what shape they are to make sure they are safe.

• Reduce the amount of toys piling up in your child’s room (and the resulting toy trash) by choosing natural and environmentally friendly toys which are long lasting and good for your child and our environment.
Read more...

Tänk grönt

"Think Green" by Jeanine Behr Getz book is bright, colourful and conceptually easy for children to understand. The book has a personal feel with a character called Millicent introducing all of her friends and how they can act and think green. The examples in the book are something children can relate to and the illustrations allow them to look through the book on their own. They can easily remember different ways to "go green". From planting trees, shutting the television off, using reusable bags to not standing with the refrigerator door open for long periods of time – "Think Green" is a great pre-school, early childhood education and any-age-book for ways to be eco-friendly. Read more...

Kampanj för giftfria leksaker

Many toys contain synthetic chemicals which can have negative effects on children's health. Carcinogenic formaldehyde is often found in glued wood puzzles, highly toxic flame retardants are found in cuddly toys. Even toys as innocent looking as bathing ducks may contain chemicals like PVC and hazardous substances such as phthalates.

To raise awareness on this issue WECF- Women in Europe for a Common Future, a network of a hundred women's and environmental organisations – handed out toxic free toys to young parents in Utrecht during Sustainability Day. Read more...

Ftalater i leksaker

I was so excited when I learned about the new provisions concerning the chemical safety of toys which was approved in the new EU Toys Directive in December 2008. This should mean that toys we buy here in Sweden and in Europe would be toxic-free. But what will happen with toys still on the shelves before this new Directive is being implemented (which normally takes some time, 2 to 3 years)? – Nothing.

They will still be in the shops and will end up in the hands of countless children. And who will be buying them? Most probably people who are too busy, who are living in poverty or close to it, who don't know about the risks. Their children will have more chemical exposures, and potentially more harmful health effects. And that is just wrong.

As from 16 January 2007, acccording to Kemikalieinspektionen, it is forbidden (in Sweden) to be selling toys containing the six most usual phthalates:

- those that are completely forbidden are: Di(etylhexylftalat) (DEHP),
Dibutylftalat (DBP), and Butylbensylftalat (BBP);

- those that can be found in toys and children articles which they usually put in mouth are: Diisononylftalat (DINP), Diisodecylftalat (DIDP), Di-n-oktylftalat (DNOP).

Maybe we often forget, but let me remind you: phthalates are a group of chemicals that soften plastic and have been linked to early onset of puberty, testicular cancer, and birth defects.

How can we minimize or avoid exposure to phthalates? Here are some tips (from the Environmental Working Group):

* Nail polish: Dibutyl phthalate is often used to make nail polish chip-resistant. Look for it on the ingredients list, where it may be shortened to DBP.

* Plastics in the kitchen: Take a critical eye to your cupboards. Phthalates may be more likely to leach out of plastic when it's heated, so avoid cooking or microwaving in plastic.

* Vinyl toys: Phthalates are what make vinyl (PVC) toys soft, so don't give them to children. Opt instead for wooden and other phthalate-free toys, especially during the age when they put everything in their mouths!

* Paint: Paints and other hobby products may contain phthalates as solvents, so be sure to use them in well ventilated areas.

* Fragrance: Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is often used as part of the "fragrance" in some products. Since DEP won't be listed separately, you're better off choosing personal care products, detergents, and cleansers that do not have the word "fragrance" on the ingredients list.

* Vinyl: Vinyl shows up in a lot of different products; lawn furniture, garden hoses, building materials, and items of clothing (like some raincoats) are often sources. Aside from carefully choosing materials when you're making purchases, there is one easy change you can make: switch to a non-vinyl shower curtain. That "new shower curtain" smell (you know the one) is a result of chemical off-gassing, and means your shower curtain is a source of phthalates in your home.

*Air Fresheners: Just like fragrances in personal care products, most air fresheners contain phthalates.

According to the organization Pollution in People, you can identify phthalates in some products by their chemical names, or abbreviations:

1. DBP (di-n-butyl phthalate) and DEP (diethyl phthalate) are often found in personal care products, including nail polishes, deodorants, perfumes and cologne, aftershave lotions, shampoos, hair gels and hand lotions. (BzBP, see below, is also in some personal care products.)

2. DEHP (di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate or Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate) is used in PVC plastics, including some medical devices. BzBP (benzylbutyl phthalate) is used in some flooring, car products and personal care products.

3. DMP (dimethyl phthalate) is used in insect repellent and some plastics (as well as rocket propellant).

So next time when buying cute little (soft plastic toys) make sure they are not toxic. Or even better, do not buy them at all! I just hope that someday, in the very near future, phthalates will be completely banned from all products, everywhere.

image: Rubber Ducks by Dan 1980 on Flickr
Read more...

Habitat Heroes - socialt nätverkande för eco-kids

Habitat Heroes is the first global, social networking site for eco-kids. Habitat Heroes is designed for kids 6-12 years old and is free to join.

Habitat Heroes is an interactive online destination where kids can adopt an endangered animal, create a life for it, play games, learn facts about the planet, and communicate with other young conservationists. Kids can create and personalize animal avatars.

It was created by Sharon Lowe, an Australian mother of three, after she observed her daughter playing/chatting online. Lowe decided her daughter and children like her needed a safe social network that was entertaining as well as worthwhile.

Receiving help from environmental experts the site was created and launched just in time for Earth Day 2009.

Habitat Heroes looks like a fabulous site where kids can play, interact and learn. It is something to keep them busy while educating them about recycling, the environment, endangered species and other important topics.

Safety features have been built into the site. Online chats are closely monitored to keep out predators and inappropriate content while parents also have the option to limit use of this function or any other aspect of the site.

In addition to environmental topics kids can explore other continents, learn about healthy eating, and learn about celebrity eco-heroes.

Finally a site that is green and I believe one does not have to worry about kids getting into any trouble while playing on it.
Read more...

Boken Rädda jorden - vetenskapliga experiment

If you are looking for a fun way to teach your children about our impact on this planet then “Save the Earth Science Experiments, Science Fair Projects for Eco-Kids” by Elizabeth Snoke Harris, is the book for you.

This fun book is filled with experiments to get you (and the kids) thinking. The book begins with an introduction to problems occurring in the world which impact our global well-being. It is then followed by a section on how to put together an effective Science Fair Project and more than 20 experiments that are related to our current environmental concerns.

Some garbage facts listed in the book are:

• Throughout the world, urban residents generate up to three times as much solid waste as rural residents.

• The United States is the world’s top trasher, throwing away twice the average of most other industrialized countries. (And we thought China was bad?)

• The United States has nearly tripled its trash production since 1960. Thirty-two percent of the trash is recovered and recycled or composted, 14% is burned at combustion facilities, and the remaining 54% is put in landfills.

A green book which should find its place in every household…
Read more...

Organiska och rättvisemärkta mjukisar

I'm really happy to introduce a line of super-cute, fair trade and organic cotton plush toys from France. It is very rare one can find organic toys certified Fair Trade.

The soft toys line is from Papili, a small French company, and is certified by the Fair Trade label Max Havelaar. That means the entire process - from growing the cotton to manufacturing - adheres to strict fair trade standards.

The objective of this small French company is to participate and contribute to a more ethic and fair trade. The soft toys are made of organic cotton labelled Max Havelaar, from ecologically cultivated cotton in Mali and have been produced in Tunisia by small organisations under Fair Trade work conditions. A Fair Trade label is attached to toys thus certifying that the toys have been tested, both for its natural quality and social aspect (fair paid and no child labour).


Why is Fair Trade important? In my regular search about Fair Trade, I discovered a BBC article which I think I should share with you. It is about cotton harvesting in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is the 2nd largest exporter of cotton in the world. I was shocked to learn that the Uzbek government closes schools from September to November - so children can participate in the harvest of the cotton.

Human rights groups estimate some 450,000 children are working on the cotton fields of Uzbekistan during every harvest. The goal of the BBC journalist was to find out if major UK companies like Marks & Spencer knew where the cotton used by their suppliers was coming from, since that department store prides itself on its strict ethical standards. It appears that they did not. Since then, many European companies have banned their suppliers from using Uzbek cotton.

Check out the entire article at Child labour and the High Street.

Read more...