Top Green Toys

Just in time for the holidays, the GoodGuide science team set out to find the Greenest Toy Companies of 2009. We evaluated over 40 leading brands on their materials — from the type of plastics they use, to the source of their wood, to the their paints and coatings — their energy use, environmental management systems, customer relations, health & safety programs, treatment of workers, labor rights, and transparency.

Plan Toys

Plan Toys uses certified, organic rubberwood for their wooden toys. Their kiln drying is chemical free and they even use non-formaldehyde glue. They only use non-toxic water-based dyes for coloring their toys. Plan Toys' factory is solar powered and they use low emission biofuels to power their machinery

North Star Toys

North Star Toys are made from "sustainably managed" wood or wood scraps from local cabinet makers. The company assembles all of its toys in a "sweat-free" workshop in Questa, New Mexico, which runs on 100% renewable energy. North Star Toys use a food-grade mineral oil for the finish on each toy, and all paints are certified nontoxic.

Green Toys

Green Toys are made mostly with recycled milk containers that are tested to make sure there are no traceable amounts of Phthalates or BPA. The toys have no paint — therefore no lead to account for — and are packaged in recycled corrugated boxes without plastic, cellophane or twist-ties.

Haba Toys (owned by Habermaaß):

Haba Toys' German operations employ renewable energy to power their facilities — they use photovoltaics on the roof and wood scraps are burned to generate heat. Their toys are made with water-based stains and finishes.

Read our CEO Dara's blog post for more in-depth information on the Greenest Toy Companies of 2009.