The Independent reports that the Ethical Consumer Research Association publishes their guide to ethical toys this month, in time for Christmas. The guide"marks toy manufacturers on factors as diverse as animal testing, workers' rights, supply chain policy, responsible marketing, product sustainability and contribution to pollution and toxins."
According to the article, a report coming out later this week reckons 25 per cent of shoppers will take into account ethical issues in buying gifts. Of course, there's a leap from considering ethical matters and actually acting upon those considerations but it's a start.
The top five ethical toys as rated by the guide are:
Lanka Kade Toys: Brown girl doll (£9)
Green Board Games: Alpha Animals Family Board Game (£20)
Holz Wooden Toys: Wooden Pirates (£39.50)
Jumping Frog: Zoetrope Moving Image set (£5.11)
George Luck Puzzles: Farm and Field Puzzle (£10.85)
Although it's not on the list, I'd also recommend the miYim organic toy I posted about last week (Annabelle Lamb pictured above).
You can see more details on the guide in the Independent article or you could always subscribe to Ethical Consumer magazine and read that instead. Ethiscore.org also has more comprehensive details online.
Related stories: miYim Organic Toys | Litegreen - Green Shopping Directory | Oxfam Ireland Online Fair Trade Shop | Tree Shop, for the person who has everything | 2006 Ecorazzi Green Celebrity Gift List | Pandaboo - A Bamboo Game
