Kids’ toys are fabulous aren’t they? Sometimes I covet my grandchildren’s playthings just a little too much. But the amount of plastic in the average toybox would make anyone with environmental concerns shudder. So thank goodness Italian toy company Mondo are taking a big step towards environmental sustainability with their Bioball and ReNew toy lines. How appropriate that Mondo means ‘World’ in Italian.
So, of course I had to road-test these lovely toys (and I may eventually let my grandkids play with them too).
All boys love a ball, and my grandsons are no exception. Mondo’s pvc Bioballs are now made using a bio-based formula, which replaces 50% of fossil-derived substances with a renewable sourced plant derivative – completely recyclable hence reducing the environmental impact by 50%. This is all brilliant news, and it’s great to know that quality hasn’t been compromised. In fact, the balls have enhanced elasticity, making them very bouncy and light and generally a lot of fun. They also come in a range of fabulous designs.
And with Staycations the order of the day, I was delighted with the ReNew Sand Playset. Really attractive, sturdy and well-made, the bucket comes with a lid that doubles as a sieve – to make those really smooth sand castles, and there are holes to poke in the cute spade and rake. And that’s not all –when you take off the lid there’s a sand mould (I got a turtle) and a sweet water jug inside too. Mondo are using a new formula, which includes both standard material and food-grade pre-consumer recycled material. Food grade means that the plastics can’t contain dyes or other harmful additives, so the chemical safety of these toys is actually higher than current requirements. My grandson will love it – and yes, I probably will let him have it, if he promises I can play too.
Let’s hope other toy manufacturers follow Mondo’s lead on sustainability. You can find more information on the Mondo Sustainability website and the Bioball and Beach Sets are both available on Amazon.co.uk.
By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.