# Recyclable Toys Green Toys to Support Environmentally-Friendly Childhood Fun By carolyn theis | Published 2009-01-27 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trendy-toys References: [nymag](http://nymag.com/shopping/bestbets/53567/?mid=best-bets--20090126) 'Going green' has been taken to new heights with the creation of [eco-friendly, recyclable toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecopeacos-bath-bundle). These trendy toys are safer for the environment and kids, and as a result, are become increasingly popular. The cardboard plane created by NYC’s Print Icon, the Autoparts Chess Set featured on greatgreengoods.com, and the Organic Mouse created by [Happy Green Baby](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/child-resistant-cannabis-packaging) are just a few examples of these green new toys. Improperly disposed electronic and plastic toys contribute to [toxic waste](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pape) and contaminate soil and water. In addition, the energy consumed to manufacture these toys outweighs the energy saved by recycling them. Recyclable, eco-friendly toys however, waste no energy to produce nor contaminate the environment to dispose. Equally beneficial, children who substitute battery-powered, electronic, plastic or painted toys are less vulnerable to lead poisoning and other harmful contamination that many non-sustainable toys have caused. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.4/10 - Popularity: 18% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Eco-friendly Toys:** The continued rise of eco-friendly toys presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies willing to invest in sustainable practices and materials. - **Recyclable Materials:** The trend towards recyclable materials in toy manufacturing provides a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. - **Non-toxic Play:** The trend towards non-toxic play presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to prioritize child safety and health in their product development. ### Who This Affects Most - **Toy Manufacturing:** The toy manufacturing industry has the opportunity to invest in sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly toys. - **Recycling:** The recycling industry can partner with toy manufacturers to create a closed-loop system that supports the recycling and repurposing of end-of-life toys. - **Childcare:** The childcare industry can support the trend towards non-toxic play by prioritizing the use of eco-friendly and non-toxic toys in their facilities. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Certified Carbon-Neutral Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mega-bloks-green-town.md) - [Eco-Friendly Racing Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/turbo-edge-riders.md) - [Recycled Rice Husk Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-toy-game.md) - [Eco-Friendly Surprise Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lol-surprise-dolls.md) - [Sustainable Seasonal Chocolate Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playin-choc-christmas-toychoc-boxes.md) - [Recycled Maritime Waste Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dantoys-blue-marine-toys.md) - [Decluttering Toy Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taptorebox.md) - [Food-Based Toy Block Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lego-6.md) - [Educational Climate Change Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/toy-brick-sets.md)