The Toys go Green area will host four themed ‘islands’, each offering visitors an insight into the materials and innovation that go into sustainable toys.
With sustainability remaining a significant and much-discussed topic worldwide, Spielwarenmesse’s 13-member strong International TrendCommittee has identified it as a ‘mega trend’ for the upcoming 2022 show.
From 2nd-6th February, Spielwarenmesse will be bringing the topic to life at the Toys go Green special area in Hall 3A. In consultation with the experts, the team at the trade fair has identified four product categories relevant to the trend – Made by Nature, Inspired by Nature, Recycle & Create and Discover Sustainability – which will be presented as themed islands.
Made by Nature: bamboo, cork and more
The Made by Nature section demonstrates that toys can be made from numerous other natural materials in addition to the wood that has been a mainstay of toyboxes and playrooms for generations. The range of raw materials that nature has to offer is broad and diverse, and includes products such as maize, rubber, bamboo, wool and cork.
Inspired by Nature: the plastics of the future
The Inspired by Nature segment likewise revolves around renewable raw materials. The production of plastics is heavily dependent on fossil resources such as oil, coal and natural gas. This product category demonstrates that there are other, less harmful ways to use plastics, by presenting toys made from bio-based plastics that are environmentally friendly.
Recycle & Create: new from old
Sustainably manufactured products are at the heart of the Recycle & Create category. On the one hand, it showcases toys made of recycled raw materials, while on the other, it focuses on creating new toy ideas with upcycling.
Discover Sustainability: learning through play
Toys can help children to understand complex situations by simplifying and clarifying them, and these are the products at the forefront of Discover Sustainability. The segment displays toys that use play to explain topics such as environment and climate, and to make children aware of the issues in an accessible, fun way.
In addition to the four islands, the Toys go Green area will provide concise background information on the topic of sustainability. Next door, at the Toy Business Forum, industry participants can learn about the Toys go Green mega trend from daily presentations given by experts in the field.
Further information, concise articles on the topic of sustainability, plus examples of best practice are also available on the website.
