If you have children, you know that they have boundless amounts of energy. It only makes sense to use this energy to power toys, and Zen Design Group has come up with a line of toys that does just that. These "environmentally friendly," kid-powered SEE Toys will be available online September 15.

SEE Toys has created five different kid-powered toys: Dyancar, Dynatiger, Dynafly, Dynashark, and Dynadolphin. SEE stands for safety, ecology, and economy, and all of the toys are designed for children five years and older. SEE Toys are powered by a dynamo, which is a power-generating motor; children energize by turning a crank. The dynamo charges the rechargeable batteries that make the unbreakable LED lights and sounds emit from the toy. According to Sun Yu, president of Zen Design Group, "The introduction of self-sustainable SEE Toys carries an important message of responsible living to our youth."

Our family tested the Dynafly, which my daughter affectionately called "Buggy." Buggy positively reinforces children with laughing noises when they turn the crank. My six-year-old daughter was so fascinated by this, that we have been unable to truly test the dynamo and batteries to see how long the toy will play before needing a crank. She insisted we take Buggy on a six-hour drive to San Francisco, and the toy held her fascination for the entire drive there and back; however, once we arrived home, Buggy was abandoned for more interactive, creative toys. It doesn’t take long for a six-year-old to get tired of a toy that only lights up and makes noises, even if it is kid-powered. The wings, legs, and antennae are bendable, but this was not enough to sustain my daughter’s attention beyond the car trip. In contrast, I think my three-year-old son would be fascinated by the Dynacar and play with it for many years.

SEE Toys claims to be "The First Environmentally Friendly, Kid-Powered Toy Line," but I question this claim. It is true that the toys do not require disposable (recyclable) batteries that account for 72,000 tons of landfill waste in the United States each year; however, the toys are made from plastic and are manufactured in China. The information provided by SEE Toys did not state whether this plastic comes new materials or is made with post consumer recycled plastic. I applaud Zen Design Group’s efforts; however, I think that it would be more interesting to see a dynamo-powered toy that children will play with for many years, especially when targeting children ages five and up. How about a dynamo-powered ipod or musical keyboard?

In my opinion, just putting a dynamo in a toy does not make it environmentally friendly, especially if it does not sustain the interest of children over time. Many toys end up in landfills just for this reason, and I still believe the most environmentally friendly toys are made from renewable materials, are open-ended, and grow with a child’s imagination. Now that my daughter has lost interest in Buggy, her father can’t wait to take it apart and see how it works. Wouldn’t it be grand if there were kits available for children to make their own dynamo-powered toys? The possiblities are endless, and I thank SEE Toys for moving the toy industry in the right direction. We now have a really cool, dynamo-powered bug flashlight for when our hydro goes down.

If you are looking for a new home or are interested in how safe the air is in your neighborhood, PlanetHazard provides information about the toxins you may be breathing. You can search by top ten polluters, all polluters, browse polluters, list pollutants, list polluters, and list industries. Many of these searches are available for the entire US, by state, by county, and/or by city. Data is based on 2002 EPA National Emission Inventory.

When searching for the top ten polluters in my state of California, I expected the polluters to be much farther south than I live. When the map of the polluters popped up, I was shocked to find out that the number two polluter in the Golden State is Burney Forest Products, about 140 miles from my remote home (not as the eagle flies). When I searched in my local county, the refuse disposal sites are the greatest polluters.

The greatest polluter in the United States , according to PlanetHazard, is the Regional Sanitation District in Elk Grove, California. Once again, I am shocked to learn that Burney Forest Products is the number two polluter in the country! The number three polluter is the Georgia Power Company’s Bowen Steam-Electric Generating Plant.

What to do with this information? Being informed is the first step in creating change. The next step is to inform others, thus we can work together to clean up the polluters near our homes. You may be surprised how close polluters are to your home, your child’s school, your work, etc. Clean air to breathe is the right of all humans.

Dangerous toy recalls have predominated the news lately. From magnets that can cause severe intestinal damage or death if swallowed to lead-based paints, mass marketed children’s toys made in China are not fit for our youngest population or the workers who make them. The most recent massive recalls have come from major toy companies, such as Mattel (maker of Barbie, Batman, Dora, etc.) and RC2 (maker of Thomas the Tank Engine).

Information that lead is harmful to our health is not new; however, toy companies act like these "accidents" occur innocently. In fact, we have known about the harmful effects of lead since 100 BC! Once lead enters the body, it travels to the soft tissues and organs. After several weeks, this poisonous metal begins to store in the body’s teeth and bones. Lead is especially harmful for children under six years of age, as "about 99% of the lead taken into the body of an adult will leave in the waste (urine, feces, hair/nail growth and sweat), but only about 32% will be eliminated from a child’s body," according to the Kentucky Department for Public Health. The harmful effects of lead exposure can cause learning disabilities to coma to death, depending on the amount and duration of exposure.

Small, strong magnetic toys are the source of other major, recent recalls. When children swallow more than one of these magnets, severe intestinal damage occurs, and it is often difficult to diagnose. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) lists magnets at the #1 hidden home hazard. They warn,

Since 2005: 1 Death, 86 Injuries; 8 million magnetic toys recalled. Today’s rare-earth magnets can be very small and powerful making them popular in toys, building sets, and jewelry…If two or more magnets, or a magnet and another metal object are swallowed separately, they can attract to one another through intestinal walls and get trapped in place…but magnets can attract in the body and twist or pinch the intestines, causing holes, blockages, infection, and death, if not treated properly and promptly.

The CPSC is the government agency responsible for protecting consumers from unsafe products. "Anytime a company brings a banned hazardous product into the U.S. marketplace, especially one intended for children, it is unacceptable," said Nancy Nord, acting chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. "Ensuring that Chinese-made toys are safe for U.S. consumers is one of my highest priorities and is the subject of vital talks currently in place between CPSC and the Chinese government…There is no excuse for lead to be found in toys entering this country,"
Nord said. "It’s totally unacceptable and it needs to stop." This statement is ironic, given the CPSC’s failure to act when lead was found in baby bibs, car seats, jewelry, and children’s lunchboxes. Furthermore, the president of Mattel has stated that families should expect more recalls as further product testing occurs. Shouldn’t this testing occur before products are sold to families? More irony is found with RC2’s slogan, "compelling passionate parenting and play for all ages." Yes, compassionate parents give their children toys with lead paint on them.

The recall of Thomas the Tank Engine toys, as well as other recent recalls, reminds us that our children will never be safe until children are safe globally from harmful products in their toys. An opinion article in the New York Times by Christian Warren speaks to this issue. "The Little Engine That Could Poison" reminds us that the important lessons to be learned from these recalls is not only about the protection our own children, but "regulating environmental poisons in the global economy".

With the majority of products consumers purchase being manufactured overseas, the incidence of "accidental" contamination will continue. As Warren writes,

It is important to do what we can to prevent the import of dangerous toys. But it is at least as important to help our international partners curtail the use of lead and other toxic substances in their own markets. Lax product safety and environmental regulation overseas undoubtedly lowers manufacturing costs there, but it also perpetuates the risk to our children and guarantees harmful exposure to both workers and children in countries that continue using lead as blithely as we once did."

Lead is very dangerous stuff that causes irreversible damage in humans. No family anywhere in the world should have to suffer from the effects of this known poison, especially in an effort to produce cheap products for the world market. As a world power, we need to do something to extinguish this hazard globally. We have some protection in this country, despite President Bush slashing of the Consumer Product Safety Commission budget by 10%, yet our children are still exposed to lead in their toys. Who knows how many children throughout the world play with lead tainted toys?

Green alternatives do exist for families. Reputable companies, such as Plan Toys, provide consumer confidence and greener practices. Handmade toys, such as Waldorf doll making kits, allow parents to know exactly what their children’s toys are made of and how they are constructed. Real Toys from Melbourne creates charming gifts for children from recycled and/or salvaged materials. Here is Real Toys bio from Etsy:

So many of the toys available today are mass produced, plastic, commercialised and increasingly associated with TV, movies or computer games. As I work with children, I wanted to make toys that would be developmentally stimulating, simple, high quality and lovable– the way Real Toys should be. (And they are so cute!) Each Real Toy is an original design, individually handmade and stuffed. Features are carefully chosen at the last stage to bring out the unique personality of every one. As they are crafted individually, each Real Toy is one of a kind.

Parents should proceed with caution when purchasing toys made in China. The recent recalls demonstrate that our global economy can have devastating effects on children throughout the world. Natural toys may cost more money, but there is no price for safety and the blessings of health. Although natural toys are sometimes recalled, the incidence of such recalls does not compare to the recent problems plaguing major toy manufacturers.

Scott James and his family founded Fair Trade Sports, a company providing premium quality sports balls stitched by adult workers, paid fair wages, and ensured healthy working conditions. Fair Trade Sports offers guilt-free soccer balls, rugby balls, volleyballs, and hip apparel. Scott and his family are devoted to helping at-risk children around the world. 100% of Fair Trade Sport’s after-tax profits go to children’s charities. Scott previously worked as director of marketing at Pura Vida Coffee, a sustainable, fair trade coffee, tea, and cocoa company. Fair Trade Sports helps Scott fulfill his mission to "Help others."

Green Options: What gave you the idea or motivated you to launch Fair Trade Sports?

Scott James: My passion is fighting extreme poverty and the problems caused by it. Fair Trade Sports is built to generate after-tax profits for children’s charities, from a Fair Trade foundation (e.g. adult workers - not coerced children - paid fair wages and ensured healthy working conditions). It also helps that I believe in the Fair Trade model and I’m a lifelong soccer player.

GO: You’ve gotten a lot of recent attention lately from Outside and Plenty magazines. Describe your "guerilla marketing" techniques and how this fits into a green business model.

SJ: (Laughing) It starts with having no marketing budget! We don’t need to support multi-million dollar marketing campaigns and sports star’s paid endorsements; instead, we ask our customers and champions to spread positive word of mouth about our mission and our quality products. True word-of-mouth is a great fit for any green business - just think of the resources you are saving (e.g. the trees needed and transportation costs for a direct mail postcard).

GO: Why are 70% of the world’s soccer balls made in Pakistan?

SJ: According to a myth, the sporting goods industry started in Sialkot, because an English man broke his tennis racket and, since an immediate replacement was not possible, he asked a local to repair it. The man did a perfect job, and the sports goods manufacturing industry took root in Sialkot.

Recorded history of the industry goes back to 1895 when the city started becoming famous for its tennis racquets. By 1903, cricket bats were being crafted from imported English willow and exported to different parts of South Asia and beyond. In 1922, one Mr. Syed, was awarded the British Empire Export Award for supplying footballs to the British Army. Over the years, the industry grew to include a variety of wood and leather-based sports equipment, and diversified into related industries such as sports apparel and riding equipment and even the Scottish bagpipes.

GO: Have you ever visited your manufacturer Talon in Pakistan?

SJ: Not yet; several of my business partners have multiple times. I started this company while my wife was pregnant (perhaps not the best timing). We just had our daughter a few weeks ago, so I expect to go sometime soon. I’ll take a video and photo crew to capture the story of our workers there.

GO: What is considered a living wage in Pakistan?

SJ: 4X the standard wage paid to adults.

GO: How are you assured that fair trade practices are utilized in the production of your merchandise?

SJ: FLO does unannounced spot checks of facilities and records for compliance. Their documentation is fairly complete.

GO: Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) states that child labor has been "virtually eliminated" from this industry; however, you do not agree. Please explain.

SJ: The FLO document that makes that incorrect statement is still a good overall document on the positive programs happening at Talon, including their medical program - a first in the sporting goods industry in Pakistan. However, child labor has definitely not been "virtually eliminated" from the industry…not even close. Anyone can Google "Nike and Saga Sports" to see a long, repeated history of failures in this area.

GO: How can you afford to donate all of your after tax profits to charity?

SJ: Like Newman’s Own (the salad dressing and popcorn brand), we’re committed to giving away our "after-tax profits". Keep in mind that after-tax profits are defined as what’s left over after you pay items like salaries, utilities, and of course, your raw inventory. Each year, we’ll also retain a small portion of our proceeds to fund the following year’s growth (likely ~10%).

What’s left over usually gets distributed to shareholders. Given that my wife and I are the sole shareholders, and we are not interested in making Fair Trade Sports a wealth-generating operation, we decided to funnel the after-tax profits towards children’s charities. We expect to reach profitability in late 2007. Until then, we are donating $1000 annually to these organizations to benefit at-risk children worldwide.

GO: Can you describe some of the charities you donate to?

SJ: Yes, right now we donate to Room to Read (international children’s libraries) and the Boys & Girls Club of America. The idea is to help at-risk kids both here in the states and the communities where we source our sports balls.

GO: I love the alternative sleeve t-shirts! These shirts are produced by independent trade members. How do independent trade unions provide a solution to sweatshops?

SJ: The tee shirts are hip, for sure. The alternative sleeve gets alot of double-takes from people when you walk down the street. Everyone should check out USAS (http://www.studentsagainstsweatshops.org/) as well as the ILRF (http://www.ilfr.org/). Just a little bit of reading will show you a world of alternatives out there to sweatshops, as we’ve used for our tee shirt line and new technical training shirt line.

Children today are bombarded with plastic, limiting toys that do not expand their imagination or aid their development. Not only can plastic toys be harmful to children's health, but the production of plastic toys further increases our dependence upon petroleum and leaves a greater carbon footprint than natural, wooden toys. There are many companies that produce wooden toys; however, not all of these companies provide information about the kind of wood they use or their sustainability practices. In addition, many of these companies manufacture their toys in China, where constant monitoring is required to ensure dangerous substances, such as lead, do not accidentally enter into production, such as the recent recall of Thomas the Tank Engine wooden railway toys exemplifies. Plan Toys is a company you can trust!

Plan Toys motto is "Fundamentally Strong. It's fun to learn", as the company recognizes that children learn and develop cognitively, emotionally, and intelligently through play. Truly educational toys don't require children to press a button, require batteries, or read to your child with a computerized voice. Educational toys are open-ended and allow children to use their imagination in play. Natural, wooden toys, such as those made by Plan Toys, are perfect for children's development.

Rubber Wood: Photo Courtesy of Plan ToysPlan Toys uses chemical-free rubber wood to produce their toys. These trees are at least 25 years old, and thus have stopped producing latex. Rubber wood farmers traditionally fell these trees and burn them to produce charcoal, in order to clear the land for replanting. Plan Toys increases the value of these trees by using them to produce their beautiful line of wooden toys. The rubber wood is kiln-dried to avoid bacteria and pest infestation, thus making it naturally preservative free and safe for children. All paints are non-toxic, the glue used is latex-based, and all corners are rounded for safety; however, some toys do contain plywood. Plan Toys insures that their "plywood complies with E1 standards, thus ensuring emissions of urea formaldehyde at levels below those acceptable to the World Health Organization (WHO)". All packaging materials are recyclable and do not contain PVC.

Plan Toys Tractor and TrailerOur family has several Plan Toys wooden vehicles, and I have purchased many of these toys for my preschool program. Both my daughter and son play with these daily, and I feel good that they are playing with safe toys. The toys are durable, and unlike other wooden toys we own, I have never had to repair our Plan Toys. They are often spontaneously combined with other toys to create complex pretend situations. I highly recommend Plan Toys products and steer family members to this company at birthday time.

For 20 years, Plan Toys has been making quality wooden toys for children, in a socially responsible manner. They are manufactured in Thailand, so parents do not have to worry about the potential negative consequences of purchasing Chinese toys. In addition, Plan Toys provides a healthy, safe working environment for its employees. Parents can purchase Plan Toys with a clear, green conscious.

Steve ElfrinkSteve Elfrink is the founder of OmTerra, a green marketing cooperative, and corporate dropout. Steve is like many people trying to live greener lives, in that he made changes to his lifestyle and home, yet his career did not align with his green values. For years, Steve struggled with this duality, until he needed to make a change. So, he left the corporate world in search of a better, sustainable life and started his own green company. OmTerra was created to meet the marketing needs of companies embracing a similar philosophy to Steve's of "ensuring the future of the Earth through their conscious and sustainable efforts, services, and products." OmTerra provides web design, webinar implementation, graphic design, powerpoint creation, marketing consultation, and market research services. Steve resides in rural southwestern Wisconsin known for its organic agriculture. This interview was conducted using Skype's chat format.

Green Options: Tell me about OmTerra.

Steve Elfrink: OmTerra is a marketing cooperative that was created to serve the green marketplace.

GO: Why did you start the company?

SE: I felt a strong need to work with companies that were aligned with my values. I also wanted to take my 17 years experience in corporate sales/marketing and apply it to companies that are making effective changes to the planet. I am very interested in working with green start-up companies that cannot afford to have a full time marketing department. Through the marketing cooperative concept, I can grow the company to fit the needs/demands of my clients.

GO: Did your family have any influence on your choice to leave the corporate world?

SE: Definitely! On many levels they influenced this change. When I worked in the corporate world, I needed to "mold" myself to fit into the corporate culture. I was not being true to myself. This was manifesting itself into a very unhappy husband and dad! On another level, the demands of my career were keeping me on the road and away from my family. Add in the stress of a high-level corporate position, and I was becoming the father I did not want to be: unavailable, distracted, stressed, and generally unhappy! My decision to leave the corporate world was heavily influenced by a need to become the father/husband that was available on all levels for his family. Also, I wanted to model for my children working in a career that I felt aligned with and proud of at the same time.

GO: So the values you wanted to model for your children played heavily on the decision?

SE: Yes!

GO: What other ways do you live a green life with your family?

SE: We try to be as green as possible in our lifestyle choices. We shop exclusively at the local food co-op and have joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) for produce to supplement our organic garden. We drive a Prius Hybrid, recycle everything possible, use energy efficient fluorescent lights, and we try to reuse anything and everything possible. We buy as much locally as possible, and most importantly, boycott products from China. We will be adding a solar/hydro intertie system to our homestead soon. We also stress the importance of being green, living sustainably, and consciously to our children.

GO: How does your immediate family feel about the green career change?

SE: Very excited and proud! My wife is probably the most supportive of my move. She was also the one who was encouraging me the most to make the transition and to "follow my heart". I know my bond with my three small children is increasing, as I feel and become more available to them as a father.

GO: How did your extended family respond to your green career change?

SE: My father worked for the same company for 42 years. He is all about stability and security. He is also a subscriber to the myth of our current culture. When I first let my parents know that I was "dropping out" of the corporate world, my father would not speak to me for several weeks. I think he thought my family was going to end up homeless! It was difficult on some levels, but it was also to be expected. I have always been the one in the family that danced to a different drum. My current mantra is "be true to yourself". This is something I want to model for my children. Through this transition there was a quote from Don Juan that helped me: “Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone one question. This question is one that a very old man asks…Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn’t it is of no use.”

OmTerraGO: Why does the green marketplace need a marketing cooperative?

SE: The concept for a marketing cooperative was to allow the collective pool of freelance web designers, graphic designers, market analysts, etc. to have an opportunity to work with aligned companies. Many freelancers have left the corporate world for many of the reasons I have left - they don't fit in! OmTerra, as a marketing cooperative, allows for a collective pool of resources that serve the green marketplace. Part of my intention in starting OmTerra was to be able to give back to the freelance community and help people survive on their own - so they aren't forced back into the cubicle and into a dead-end job. So in answer to the question on why does the green market place need a marketing cooperative, I would say it is a reciprocal relationship that provides a sustainable model for the green companies and the people that can serve those companies from a marketing perspective. Also, there is a need for quality marketing for start-up green companies - companies that cannot afford a full-time marketing department. For a start-up green company OmTerra can become their virtual marketing firm.

GO: What ways do you make OmTerra a green company?

SE: In an effort to make OmTerra a green company, I bought a Prius Hybrid for my "business car" to meet with clients. All office paper is recycled. In addition, my office for OmTerra is currently in a separate building on our property. I will be converting the office to a combination of solar/hydro. I want OmTerra to be as carbon neutral as possible.

GO: What has been the reception so far from the green community?

SE: So far it has been minimal - I have been currently only marketing the company locally. My goal is to be able to have a global reach that will be very positively received!

GO: Who are some of your clients?

www.omterra.comSE: OmTerra's first client was a certified organic farm. The farm sells their produce through wholesale and retail channels along with a CSA. The organic farm was looking to increase brand awareness and add a level of professionalism that was lacking. OmTerra redesigned their weekly newsletter, did a mini-redesign of their website, designed an HTML email template for their whole/retail clients, and a host of other marketing initiatives. OmTerra is also currently working with two life coaches who coach on wellness/healthy/sustainable lifestyles and a car dealership that is trying to enter the green auto market by adding/sourcing hybrids to it's line-up. As OmTerra ramps up, we are definitely looking to add more clients.

GO: How did you find the strength to take that one giant leap financially and leave the security of your corporate job?

SE: This was definitely the scariest part of the transition. There is the phrase in the corporate world of the "Golden Handcuffs" which is very true! To leave the security of a 17 year career in medical device marketing with a six figure income was a major leap of faith. It boiled down to a simple reality for me - life is not about money. Money is important, but it is not the "answer". The answer is right livelihood, following your heart, living consciously, and being in a position to benefit others and the planet. I truly believe that if you follow your heart/passion, the rest will fall into place.

GO: What advise do you have for others that want to leave the corporate world and go green?

SE: The number one thing is - go for it!!! Life is short. I subscribe to a Buddhist philosophy on impermanence. One major epiphany to leave the corporate world hit me when I was driving to the airport to go on a trip I was dreading. The epiphany was that if I died in that moment, I would be very mad at myself for dying without having "gone for it" and following my passion. It was shortly after that that I "quit" my corporate job and started OmTerra. So best advice - follow your heart now for tomorrow may not be here!

GO: How has your life changed since starting OmTerra?

SE: My life has changed in many ways! One of the most exciting ways it has changed is that now I have more time to devote to creating the life I want to be living. This model of life is based on self-sustainability. I currently live on 4.5 acres in SW Wisconsin. Our family's goal is to live as green as possible and as sustainable as possible. We are now raising chickens, organic gardening, and preparing to have a small herd of milk goats. I now have the time to devote to living the lifestyle I want - along with the focus and energy.

GO: What are your long term plans for OmTerra?

SE: My long term plans for OmTerra are to build it into a viable and sustainable model that supports my family along with a number of other families. My biggest interest is in allowing green-minded people to work with green-minded companies. I believe in giving back to humanity, and I feel by creating OmTerra, I can contribute on two levels - by spreading the word through marketing of green/conscious companies and by allowing people to create an income that does not demand working in an unacceptable environment.