I can't stand all the packaging that comes with kids' toys. It's just as frustrating for me to remove it as it is for my kids to wait (rather impatiently) to do it. When we had Grayson's first birthday party this weekend, I was reminded yet again of how much I hate it and all the waste it causes, until Grayson opened a toy cell phone and an adorable bath tug boat from B. Toys. I've always loved the colors and design of their toys, but this time, I really read the packaging and was happy to find they are an earth-responsible toy company who makes their packaging from all recycled materials, some of them even serving double duty as pretty trays or reusable containers. And they even give 10 cents from every toy purchased to the charity, Free the Children. I love corporations that give back. So, that got me to thinking – what other earth friendly toy companies are out there? Turns out, there are quite a few!
All made in the USA, more specifically, Vermont, with a company culture of reusing and recycling (read more here)
They work with local companies to make their toys, claiming to only use 1% of foreign companies
They use only Vermont trees, such as rock maple, pine and cherry, from a sustainable farm (source)
The coolest part – local farmers use their sawdust for cattle bedding and they leave their wood scraps for locals to use for kindling for their wood stoves! (source)
Minimal packaging to reduce waste. They even reuse boxes and packing materials (taking packing peanut donations from the local community) for outgoing shipments!
Prices (the prices run the gamut, with the average price being in the $40 range, although you can buy many cars and small toys between $10 and $20).
