World Sustainable Toy Day 2024
World Sustainable Toy Day is on Friday November 15th: a day for promoting eco-friendly toys and creating a more ethical toy industry!
It’s no coincidence that World Sustainable Toy Day falls on November 15th, a week before Black Friday. This aims to encourage people to consider how they buy and make more sustainable purchases.
Why we LOVE sustainable toys
The global toy industry is the most plastic intensive in the world, and is on track to produce 1 million tonnes of waste a year.
Ironically, this is how Good Things began…
Our founder, Lucy, was shopping for her friend’s child and was shockingly unable to find any plastic-free toys. So, Good Things aims to make sustainable shopping simple: showcasing long-lasting, ethical gifts and toys that give back to people and the planet.
What to look out for when shopping sustainably
The following tips aim to help you make more sustainable choices, wherever you’re shopping.
Check the materials
The truth is in the materials.
If you want to ensure the toys you’re buying are sustainable, then the easiest way to do that is by seeing what’s in them! Try to avoid plastic, and keep an eye out for ethically sourced materials.
Know who made it
Organisations that are transparent about who makes their products, the conditions craftspeople work in, and the pay that they receive are generally trustworthy.
To be sure, look out for Fair Trade certified products and organisations. Check out our range of Fair Trade goods here.
Gifts that give back
Truly sustainable organisations will put people over profit. Research into who you’re buying for and how they give back. For example, many of our supplier’s revenue goes towards relevant charities, support schemes, or organisations.
Look for Good Things
It can be hard to know what to look out for when shopping for sustainable toys – that’s where we come in. All of our products are eco-friendly, sustainable, and made in fair conditions that support the talented craftspeople who make them.
Our favourite sustainable toys
Picking a favourite toy is impossible… but we’ve narrowed down a few that young people love!
Reduce, reuse, recycle!
The Green Toys recycling truck is perfect for play and promoting eco choices. With spinnable wheels and a moving lorry bed, there’s hours of imagination set to be inspired.
And best of all? It’s entirely made from recycled plastic bottles – preventing plastic waste from going to plastic landfill! Green Toys Recycling Truck, £28
What’s better than an animal play set ? An eco animal play set!
Kids can pop the pieces out, create an African Savanna scene, and play. Not only does this set encourage creativity, imagination, and make believe fun – it’s also entirely made from recyclable playboard, sourced from sustainable PEFC forests. Build and Play Savanna Animals Set, £12
Soft and sustainable!
This adorable kangaroo and joey is hand-knitted with acrylic and cotton yarns in Zimbabwe. The talented craftswomen receive fair pay and working conditions, and have access to saving schemes to increase their financial autonomy. The kangaroo and joey are individually named by the woman who made them, giving an extra personalised touch! Kangaroo and Joey Knitted Soft Toys, £22
Free Sustainable Play
The only thing better than sustainable play is free sustainable play! That’s why we’re offering a free wooden animal toy with every purchase over £10 between November 15th – November 17th.
For more ethical enjoyment, check out the World Sustainable Toy Day’s free activities, resources, and colouring in:
- Download World Sustainable Toy Day Activity Sheets
- The Seed Pod Nature Connection Free Activity Sheets
- Nature bingo free download
You might like:
At Good Things you’ll find inspiring ethical and sustainable gifts that support charities, empower people and protect our planet. Discover gifts for all ages and inspiring ideas like cards that plant trees, handmade cushions empowering people in Tanzania and eco toys made from recycled milk bottles. Have a look at our collections.
Check out more Little Ways to Love the Planet or sign up to have Good Things popped into your inbox every weekend.
