Courtesy Sprig Toys, Inc.
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How many tons of batteries do you think Americans throw away every year? 10,000 tons? 50,000 tons? Nope. Turns out we generate closer to around 150,000 tons of battery waste a year. No matter what kind of battery you're using, that amounts to some pretty major bad news. And if you've got kids, chances are they've got more than a couple of battery powered toys—I know I had a bunch growing up. But in the interest of keeping some of those coppertops, or whatever batteries you happen to be using (even rechargeable batteries eventually dry up) out of the landfills, consider some of these eco-friendly toys that'll keep your kids entertained—without the waste.
Playmobil: These relatively simple toys (pirates, policemen, spacemen) have nonetheless managed to capture kids' imaginations for decades, without changing their basic aesthetic. I remember playing with Playmobil toys for hours on end—and they're just little plastic people in costumes. Not only do they not use any batteries, ever since their inception they've been made PVC-free. Find them in most toy stores or at Playmobil's website.
Select Solar: These futuristic toys eschew batteries and make use of the sun for their power. Select Solar toys are a great way to get your kids excited about alternative energy—what youngster can resist a futuristic gizmo, after all. Check out Select Solar’s site for a full product list.
Sprig Toys: The cars and trucks from Sprig resemble Pixar-style characters—cartoony and fun, but modern and more in keeping with the aesthetic they're likely to see on their Saturday morning cartoons nowadays. And, even though they don't use batteries, they boast working lights powered by pump action and revving up the toy (which kids will do anyways).
For more options on eco-friendly toys, check out this guide to greening your kids' toys.
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