Toys and Sustainability

Urban wood wastes of some species have mechanical, physical, and chemical characteristics that classify them as suitable for use in the production of small wooden objects, such as toys. Wooden toys market moves a significant amount of money in several countries around the world, and it is important to know more about possible alternatives that can complement this sector. Thus, the objective of this book chapter was to describe the creative design and the production process of toy prototypes using wood wastes from urban forestry. To this end, we made sketches of the products based on the study of the desired design for the final production of the toys. From this, we discussed the entire process of production of toys from wood wastes from urban forestry, which goes from cutting trees and branches, through the process of transport to industry, selection of suitable wooden parts for production, drying, and storage of wood, mechanical processing of wood, painting of toys, to the manufacture of toys for sale. We discuss the main aspects of each stage of the production process, evaluating their greatest difficulties and strategies necessary for good performance in each one of them, which will result in the production of safe and good quality wooden toys for consumers. The results found can serve as a basis for future projects that assess the economic feasibility of implementing the production of wooden toys from the use of wood wastes from urban forestry.

This chapter summarizes and synthesizes key developments within the industries of play and contemporary toy design that address sustainability in toys from two perspectives: first, from the design and production perspective, and second, from the use or play perspective. By drawing on insights from earlier work in the fields of toy and play research, a summary of key points regarding sustainable approaches to toy design and contemporary play is suggested. Good toy design aims at producing play value derived from raw material, aesthetics, mechanics, relations to storytelling and so on, but as a vague and subjective measure, play value can present different things for designers and players of different ages, depending on their ideas on the life cycles of toys and their qualifications for sustainability. Instead, relevant and more tangible aspects of play value are the physical durability of toys, which may refer to the ecological dimensions of the raw material used for toys (such as textile, wood or plastic), their functionality (afforded, versatile and enduring functions for toys such as mechanics) and the thematic durability of toys (such as intriguing backstories that invite the player to long-term play). When the toys’ play value is considered thoroughly from these perspectives, the affective responses to the plaything are strengthened. In the chapter, the concepts of longevity and becoming lost are discussed as issues worth of deliberation not only within the toy industry, but in terms of player actions with toys.

Wood wastes from urban afforestation, which are commonly used in applications with lower added value, have interesting characteristics that can allow and facilitate their use in other sectors that use solid wood as a raw material for product development. Thus, the purpose of this chapter was to discuss the main aspects of wood quality that make it suitable for use in the production of small wooden objects, such as toys. For this, we discuss the mechanical, physical, and chemical properties and the ideal quality parameters that wood should have to validate its use for this purpose. Based on this, we suggest strategies for classifying and reusing wood waste from urban areas, so that these residues can be reused in the generation of higher value-added products. Thus, it is possible to combine the economic and social benefits with the environmental benefits of the correct disposal of this waste in different cities, which generates a significant amount of these materials. The main direct benefits arising from the use of urban wood waste for toy production can be divided into three main groups: environmental, through the reduction of polluting gas emissions, due to the burning and incorrect disposal of wood; economic, as the costs involved in the management of urban trees can be deducted from the value of the sale of wood for the production of toys, or even the direct sale of toys through industries managed by the municipalities; and social, with the direct generation of new jobs from the creation of this market opportunity, in addition to easier access to wooden toys, at a reduced cost, when compared to toys produced by large industries.

Collecting is a major part of the miniaturing pastime, in which enthusiasts collect, paint, and play games with small historical and fantasy wargaming and role-playing figurines. Miniaturists often have large collections of miniatures, and many buy more miniatures than they have time to paint. This quantity of unpainted miniatures is often referred to as a pile of shame. In this chapter, we explore the collecting of miniatures and the pile of shame phenomenon through a thematic analysis of qualitative survey data (N = 127). Our analysis suggests that an amassed collection of miniatures poses both practical and existential potential and challenges and may be both beneficial and detrimental to personal sustainability. Although the concept of a pile of shame is typically a shared source of humour, it is also a relevant part of the miniaturing pastime, and an important aspect of how miniaturists curate and view their collection.

In recent years, the use of plastic in the production of toys has increased. Although it is a cheap and long-lasting material, and used as a base for the production of various products worldwide, it is not a sustainable and renewable material and has a long time for decomposition. The unrestrained use of this material can cause several impacts to the environment. Wooden toys have a hereditary and ancient history, as they were part of the culture and pedagogical formation of several generations of children around the world, and the artificialization of toys led to a detachment from this concept. The wastes from tree management of urban forests are commonly used in organic compounds or as firewood, but have great potential for recovery in small wooden objects, such as toys. This is an alternative that adds more value to wood waste and can encourage new ventures, job creation, and income. In this context, it is important to understand the real potential that these objects have on the market, whether they will be well accepted and also what are the most adequate requirements in relation to the expectations of the consuming public. The investigation on the acceptance patterns of children for toys made from wood is necessary for a greater insertion of this sustainable raw material in the market. It was possible to conclude that, based on some improvements regarding the design, choice of species, and the toy manufacturing process, waste from urban forests can be used in the production of these small wooden objects. In this study, we noticed that children of the studied age group are more attracted to colorful toys than natural ones, but that there was good acceptance of toys manufactured with the wood wastes. The parents and educators of children from 2 to 7 years old also accepted the toys well, but with certain reservations regarding the design and choice of species, which should be suitable for each purpose.