Environmentally friendly dinosaur toy companies?

[DinoToyForum]

I received an email the other day that I thought might spark some thought provoking discussion on the forum. So, I've posted it below, with kind permission from Maeve, who is most interested to hear your thoughts

"I've been thinking a lot about dinosaur toys lately, having started buying some for my twin lads (I adore their latest obsession, and am delighted to be learning so much myself). But the other day I realized, Wow, these hunks of plastic are so much fun but will probably last longer on Earth than dinosaur fossils.

That depressed me. Think about it for a moment...  So, I'd like to know if you know of any companies that make environmentally responsible (ish) dinosaur figures? Using recycled plastic? Or some other material that's a little less crappy for the environment? Sure, wood is better, but who would make realistic wooden dinos? Are there good metal ones out there? Would rubber be better?

Thanks so, I'd really love to hear from you about this. I suspect a lot of toy lovers would be sobered by the thought of their figurines outlasting dino bones.
Maeve"

[SBell]

I have never heard of any company that makes well-reproduced figures out of anything but PVC-like materials. AFAIK, they are all now Pthalate free (I don't know on Schleich, but they seem to be followers instead of leaders now).

I would say that, when it comes to playable toys, PVC is about it.  Metal is horrible for the environment (recycled or not), not to say a bad idea for a toy. Rubber doesn't have the same stability (plus, again, rubber tree plantations have wreaked havoc on rain forest ecosystems). Wood, as stated, would not make good, realistic figures.

Recycled plastics, on the other hand, could be explored, although I am not aware of any who use it. It wouldn't be quite as durable or playable as PVC (it would be more like the weird Timmee large figures, or the MARX/MPC figures). There is also the possibility that the 3D printing possibilities are there, to use a better material.

Another good option for COLLECTORS, but not as toys, would be resins. Natural product (in theory) and can be moulded to anything. But $$$.

[Takama]

I heard somewhere that whenever they could, Safari would recycle materials for some of there products.

[Crackington]

Pedant's corner (apologies) - is it actually known how long plastic figures would last? Wouldn't plastic eventually break down?

I have heard that plastic will last for at least several hundred years underground (hence a potential industry of mining old rubbish dumps for plastic if it increases in value in the future), but how long could a figure realistically retain its shape and be identified as a dinosaur model? Longer than the 65+ million years for dinosaur fossils?

Of course this is something that might only be clear with the passing of time, but I suspect that the "weeping" and rather unpleasant sticky plastic already shown by some brands (e.g. UKRD) may be the beginnings of that plastic breaking down. I'm thus not convinced that plastic models would outlast fossils, at least not those from the harder rocks.

Two final thoughts, (i) its always amused me that a material derived from a fossil fuel can be used to make models of creatures from the fossil record - our models are thus a kind of fossil in their own right! and (ii) by not throwing our models away and thus inadvertently valuing plastic, are we helping the environment?

     

[SBell]

Pedant's corner (apologies) - is it actually known how long plastic figures would last? Wouldn't plastic eventually break down?

I have heard that plastic will last for at least several hundred years underground (hence a potential industry of mining old rubbish dumps for plastic if it increases in value in the future), but how long could a figure realistically retain its shape and be identified as a dinosaur model? Longer than the 65+ million years for dinosaur fossils?

Of course this is something that might only be clear with the passing of time, but I suspect that the "weeping" and rather unpleasant sticky plastic already shown by some brands (e.g. UKRD) may be the beginnings of that plastic breaking down. I'm thus not convinced that plastic models would outlast fossils, at least not those from the harder rocks.

Two final thoughts, (i) its always amused me that a material derived from a fossil fuel can be used to make models of creatures from the fossil record - our models are thus a kind of fossil in their own right! and (ii) by not throwing our models away and thus inadvertently valuing plastic, are we helping the environment?

   

We are securing the carbon away from the atmosphere! We are heroes!

In a way, seriously.

[Gwangi]

What kind of bothers me is that they're all made in China these days. Even Bullyland at this point if I'm not mistaken.

[Maeve]

Hi! Original poster here, in a sense. I sent the email to dinotoyforum.

True, I don't know exactly how long plastics last, but I've heard that plastic molecules are now found in previously pristine Antarctic waters. Some speculate this is residue from the laundering of PET fabrics. Would plastics last 65 million years? Well, chances are the planet would be able to somehow deal with plastics before then (as we'd probably all be long gone and not making plastic toys any more), but I'd sure like to be able to buy as eco-friendly toys as possible.

So, if any more info comes up on companies that are trying their best and have good labour practices, whether in China or not, please post!

[Crackington]

Agree completely Maeve (and welcome to the forum). It is also a worry about all the plastic bottle "islands" etc congregating at certain points in the oceans carried by the currents.

Aside from doing our bit to keep our dino models away from all this, its also important to re-cycle too. I never chuck plastic in the dustbin anymore and recycle everything I can.

In terms of which companies are the most environmentally friendly, I'm afraid I can't add anything to SBell's points above, but if we support those companies that do, then that will be a help too (as long as they're nice models!).

[Libraraptor]

A topic with many different aspects.

1.Actually, I do have two wooden dinosaur toys.
2. I saw a handcarved wooden sauropod baby for 700€ or so in the shop of the Dinosaurierpark Münchehagen
3. I am aware that all the dinotoyfigure stuff will survive me end will eventually end up as granulate suffocating fish. It´s a shame and I really want to fight this: First I am very choosy as far as my childrens´ toys are concerned. Unfortunately my wife brings everything "sweet" and "funny" in our house and isn´t as dainty about it.
4. I know Bullyland is phtalate free, but to be honest I wouldn´t have my son suck a Chinasaur.
5. The quality and value of my figures will probably (or hopefully?) convince further generations not to throw them away.