TIA Statement on Green Toys

Members of the Toy Industry Association (TIA) are strongly committed to reducing the impact of their products on the environment generally and to increasing the sustainability of the materials and processes used in making them. This effort has been underway for some time, and is manifested currently by activity in the following areas, among others:

• More sustainable products and materials. Because creative innovation is a hallmark of the US toy industry, new products and product improvements are constantly being developed, allowing our industry to put newly-developed ideas for more sustainable design into practice quickly. For example, our members look for ways to incorporate more natural materials into their products and to use a greater proportion of sustainably harvested wood products where wood is necessary.
• Reduction of packaging materials. Together with our retail partners, the industry is looking for ways to reduce the amount of packaging materials used in absolute terms and to increase the proportion of materials that are recyclable.
• Increased recyclability. This applies both to packaging and to our products themselves. Toymakers are actively studying ways to improve the use of recyclable and/or biodegradable materials in the products we sell and to encourage consumers to dispose of products, packaging and consumables (e.g., batteries) responsibly.
• Environmentally sound manufacturing. Members of the TIA work with manufacturers, wherever located, to foster processes and practices which have minimal negative impact on the environment. These include improved treatment of water and reduction of volatile coatings in the manufacturing processes, as well as recycling and proper disposal of waste. This is a key dimension of the worldwide toy industry’s ethical manufacturing program, the ICTI CARE Process.

Cumulatively, these actions are of course helping our members to reduce their carbon footprint – an achievement we look to build upon over time.