Toys go Green
The Special by Spielwarenmesse on the subject of sustainability
In an increasingly environmentally conscious world, the range of sustainable toys is growing all the time.
This is exactly where Toys go Green comes in - a special opportunity to put your sustainable products in the spotlight at the Spielwarenmesse.
We offer you the stage here to present your sustainable toy products to a wide audience. Because with Toys go Green, we create a clear platform to bring environmentally friendly products closer to the retail market.
Your participation in Toys go Green
Participation in Toys go Green requires that your products fulfill certain criteria that have been developed in close collaboration with experts. Based on the information you provide about these criteria in the application process, our curators will make the selection of approved products.
The criteria at a glance
Our criteria are not only used to classify the products during registration. They are also intended to help trade show visitors understand the advantages of the various products. For this purpose we have defined the following categories:
- Product material
- Packaging material
- Manufacturing process of the product
- Learning and playful knowledge transfer
Material of the product is a mandatory entry for the submission of the products. The other categories are optional.
Product material
The presentation of your products on Toys go Green focuses on the use of sustainable materials. What materials are used in your toys?
Natural materials
This includes, for example, the following aspects:
- Renewable raw materials as essential components
- The origin of the raw materials excludes harmful effects, such as the clearing and conversion of nature conservation areas (primeval forests, moors, etc.)
- The use of renewable raw materials, the production location and the production standards are made transparent, e.g. through communication on the company or product website
- The origin of the raw materials is precisely known and the supply chain is certified according to sustainability criteria wherever possible (forestry raw materials: FSC and PEFC; agricultural raw materials: ISCC, RSB, RSPO, REDcert, Bonsucro, etc.).
Recycled material
This includes, for example, the following aspects:
- Recycled raw materials (recyclates) have been used to manufacture the product and information on their use is verifiable and transparent (e.g., on the company or product website)
- Information on reparability or service life is verifiable and transparent (e.g., warranty statements, take-back obligations)
- Information on recyclability is verifiable and transparent (e.g., orientation towards the criteria for recyclability of packaging)
- Offers for take-back systems are verifiable and transparent (e.g. on the company or product website)
Bio-plastic, or materials made from renewable raw materials
This includes, for example, the following aspects:
- Significant proportions or essential components of the product are made from renewable raw materials (at least 30 %)
- The content of biogenic raw materials (biomass or biobased carbon) is measured/indicated and certified as far as possible in accordance with standards (e.g. EN standard, DIN standard; TÜV etc.)
- The origin of the biomass excludes harmful effects, such as the clearing and conversion of nature conservation areas (virgin forests, moors, etc.)
- The origin of the biomass is precisely known and the supply chain is certified according to sustainability criteria (forestry raw materials: FSC and PEFC; agricultural raw materials: ISCC, RSB, RSPO, REDcert, Bonsucro etc.)
- The use of renewable raw materials, the production site and the production standards are made transparent, e.g. through communication on the company or product website
Packaging material
In addition to the product itself, the packaging also plays an important role in the design of sustainable toys. Do you use sustainable materials in manufacturing or have you reduced the packaging material? Explain to us how you have made the packaging more sustainable.
- Natural materials
- Recycled materials
- Organic plastic, or materials made from renewable resources
- Reduced material
Manufacturing process of the product
It is also important that products are manufactured under fair and environmentally friendly conditions. Tell us how you support the entire life cycle of your toys with responsible manufacturing practices.
- Ethical and fair trade
- Use of sustainable (energy) resources
Learning and playful knowledge transfer
And not to forget: In addition to the type of materials, it is also essential if toys promote children's development on the topic of sustainability. Toys can be used to explain environmental and sustainability topics such as renewable energies, recycling and the like in a very simple and child-friendly way. After all, you can't start early enough to sensitize even the youngest children to the topics of environmental protection and sustainability. Does your product have this learning effect?
