If you're a parent, then you'll know how tricky it can be to avoid buying them, whether it's diggers, dolls houses or building bricks. The UK's toy industry is massive - last year consumers spent £370m on them. Toys are far from single-use plastics, as we know from research that they stay within a household for approximately 10 years and tend to then be passed on to charities, friends and families
The majority of plastic toys produced worldwide are made from just a few plastic materials including high- and low-density polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS, ABS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyester (PET).
One of the safest plastics for toys is polypropylene. Polypropylene is heat resistant and is unlikely to leach even when exposed to warm or hot water. It's also approved for use with food and beverage storage.
Phthalates- Phthalates give plastic toys the soft squishy feel that we all adore. But they in turn expose children to a trail of harmful effects. They are notorious for hormone disruption and can cause premature puberty and decreased fertility. They are also associated with liver lesions and allergies like asthma.
Toys are generally designed to take a beating, and plastic can be one of the most resilient materials for them. Its high strength in comparison to its weight, and its flexibility give it the ability to withstand extensive play.
In conclusion, yes plastic toys are damaging to the environment. Even though they have a longer life cycle than single-use plastic, they will at some point end up in a landfill — or worse in the sea as non-recyclable waste.
Lego is made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. What's more, the vast majority of those 110 billion bricks, as much as 80 per cent, were made from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, or ABS, a petroleum-based thermoplastic prized for its strength and rigidity.
Are Legos® nontoxic? Lead-Safe? Lead-Free? Well for those who are here for a quick answer: Yes, new Legos® are safe!
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