Toys are available everywhere nowadays. Whether online or in the shop, the choice is huge. The ever-present advertising in the media leads to children developing numerous wishes that want to be fulfilled.

Another problem is that children have no more interest in toys as they get older. Then inventiveness is called for, because although old toys can be simply thrown into the rubbish bin, this is not particularly sustainable. So what can you do in this case to avoid harming the already stricken environment even more? Are there sustainable solutions for old toys?

Yes, there are. Either the toys are designed right from the start for simple recycling later, but this rests solely in the hands of the industry and can hardly be considered by the man on the street, or old toys are simply used to make new ones. In this case you can also help and play your part towards a sustainable lifestyle.

What about trikes made of bamboo, for example? This grasslike raw material is very environment-friendly

because it can be renewed faster than wood. The first stalks can be harvested after as little as 3 – 5 years. Bamboo is also very suitable for those suffering from allergies. No forests need to be cleared for growing it. The grass is nevertheless very robust and also light, which makes it suitable for children’ s toys. Bamboo is also the epitome of sustainability and not least for this reason has already been used for many years particularly in Asia.

Another possibility is to make children’ s furniture completely of corrugated cardboard. This offers the robustness and stability needed for furniture in children’ s rooms. Or you buy model cars of paper, which is also a possible way of ensuring the sustainability of toys from the very beginning.

Old materials can also be recycled and used to make new toys. Cuddly animals of PET bottles, for example. These certainly don’ t look like bottles, on the contrary. The plush animals are even very cuddly and soft, just like a cuddly animal should be.

Creativity also runs wild at makedo. The Australian manufacturer supplies sets with many plug-in connections and pins that can naturally be used again. It is now the kids’ job to collect materials from everyday life and build new toys with them. For example, old boxes, CDs and plastic crockery are used to make a car with room for a child to sit in. The sets can be bought all over the world.

The Toys Company cooperation project in Germany has found a completely different solution. Old toys are collected in boxes at several locations, processed and then given to needy people or charitable organizations. The project also benefits the community, because many young jobless and long-term unemployed people also work for Toys Company. This gives them the chance to regain a foothold in the job market or improve their chances of getting a job in a company.

So in addition to attempting to make children happy, it is also important nowadays not to lose sight of the environment. With the new possibilities for toys,

you can make it clear to even the youngest children what sustainability means.

The Indian toy manufacturers, realising the importance of going green and in order to maintain competitiveness, are rapidly

adopting modern technology and upgrading infrastructure with an aim to promote sustainability.

The seminar at the upcoming event Kids India 2013 will also feature topics such as“ Toys Go Green”.