In recent years Toys “R” Us, Target, Sears and Wal-Mart have all been forming plans to discontinue the sale of toys containing PVC. Toys “R” Us is taking their initiative to the next level, announcing that they will be phasing out any toys containing phthalates in their juvenile product lines. Phthalates are the chemical compounds that soften PVC, turning it from a hard and rigid material to a soft and flexible material. Aside from being used in toys, phthalates are commonly used in the production of paints, nail polish and adhesives. Added phthalates in PVC is being discovered to cause unusual hormonal activity, birth defects and other health risks, especially to children as their bodies are still in the process of growing. In 2009, the state of California will begin acting on serious plans to heavily restrict the use of phthalates in toys for children. For the toy industry as a whole, the added chemical compound has made PVC prominent for good reason in the past. Its ability to be made in many different durometers while passing shatter tests has kept children from swallowing small parts that could break off and restricts them from being exposed to sharp edges.
Green Toys Inc is a newer company based in San Francisco geared towards making simple, environmentally friendly products for children. Robert von Goeben is Co-founder and his take on the current consumer mentality is that people are “looking at toys the way they looked at food 10 years ago. They’re starting to think about the specific ingredients in toys.” After the scares with lead paint last year, many companies are under analysis by the public, feeling pressure to improve their products and highlight active steps they are taking to make safer toys. Green Toys uses a bio-based plastic produced by Cereplast for some products and their new line of greener more eco-friendly toys will be made from plastic, post-consumer recycled milk bottles.
