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Original poster

Who would be up for a plastic crap boycott...

30 replies

TooTicky · 17/09/2006 16:32

...or at least a brand-new-plastic-crap boycott? Let's hit the manufacturers in the season it will hurt them the most and send an environmental message as well as a don't-peddle-shite-to-our-children message. Anybody?

OP posts:
MissChief · 17/09/2006 16:34

good idea. are you anti because of the chemical content of the plastic or because of the packaging etc? Just interested.

stitch · 17/09/2006 16:36

i think that to make a big difference, it would have to be a huge organised thing.
and i have a feeling it is more likely to hurt the people in the poorer countries where stuff is made, rather than the fat cats
but im in

FillyjonktheBananaEater · 17/09/2006 16:38

oooh me

just out of snobbery really though

no, I don't like the way it looks, meaning i am far more likely to chuck it. Plus there is something freakish about using sea creatures and dinosaurs to make toy fruit.

FillyjonktheBananaEater · 17/09/2006 16:40

I might not be very good at it though, as my kids hardly have any new toys at all...

what do we do about stuff like pens and so on? My kids get through loads and loads of arty crap.

Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 16:42

It's:
-the plastic itself (chemically, pollution-causing, unsustainable and landfill fodder - although the article I read recently on incineration is even more scary than landfill)
-the packaging (excessive and mostly non-recyclable)
-the aggressive marketing aimed at children
-the sheer hype and mass-production
-the fact that most of these toys insult children's intelligence, don't help with education, and many of them encourage violence

OP posts:
Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 16:52

Filly, have you got one of those paintboxes where all the paints are coloured with plant extracts? They are so lovely. You can get sustainably produced coloured pencils, but I don't know about pens.

OP posts:
YellowFeathers · 17/09/2006 16:54

I think if he was here, dh would have joined you like a shot.
Even more so atm with dd's birthday looming!

southeastastra · 17/09/2006 16:55

using sea creatures and dinosaurs to make toy fruit

what's that then?

misdee · 17/09/2006 16:56

we are having a recycled xmas this year.

no branmd new plastic crap for us.

its not that we are skint, its just that i am continually sorting it all out and binning/selling/charity shopping loads. just dont see the point anymore.

if its in good section hand condition, then i will box it and give it as presents.

not sure if other people will want second hand stuff for xmas though?

Mercy · 17/09/2006 16:59

SEA, was going to ask teh same thing!

And also what sort of toys do you mean when you say 'many of them encourage violence'?

Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 17:00

My children are used to secondhand and have no problem with it - they value things for what they are (doesn't mean they don't clamour for plastic crap though!). Some families have a real problem with secondhand things though, which is sad.

OP posts:
misdee · 17/09/2006 17:01

mine dont mind seconds stuff, dd1 said the other day that the local charity shop is her favourite shop as its like a treasure trove.

Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 17:04

Some of the action figures, especially those that come with lots of weapons - it makes me sad because I know there are so many children in the world living in war zones, seeing real violence and over here it seems to be glorified sometimes. And yes, I know that boys will be boys and that girls will even more so sometimes....

OP posts:
FillyjonktheBananaEater · 17/09/2006 17:07

well yes i have, TT...

But they are mine all mine

Dd eats crayons. My lovely plant-extract birthday crayons. And they are not cheap.

southeastastra-oil is made from squished sea creatures and dinosaurs (not really dinosaurs so much)...plastic from oil...etc. Seems a bit disrespectful somehow.

hmmm, should vegetarians use plastic, hmmm...

Mercy · 17/09/2006 17:10

I did wonder if that's what you meant, my children are yet old enough for those sorts of toys.

Mind you I know a family who have similar views to you (they have 3 boys) and the mum found them all playing 'guns' with sticks they had found in the garden.

I personally hate all that Polly Pocket stuff.

YellowFeathers · 17/09/2006 17:11

So out of interest, whats on your xmas lists for your children this year?

Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 17:15

Playing guns with sticks is much better than playing guns with plastic guns - better for the environment and the imagination.

OP posts:
misdee · 17/09/2006 17:15

dd3 is getting a 2nd hand leap pad system and 2 books,

dd1+2 are getting dolls restored by me, with outfits and accessories.

southeastastra · 17/09/2006 17:16

it's not just toys though is it, it's everything!

Enid · 17/09/2006 17:18

sorry

we love plastic crap here

Enid · 17/09/2006 17:18

dd2 is getting the playmobil castle with oodles and oodles of plastic crap accessories

Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 17:19

Actually dd1 has just asked if she can have some work done on her bike for Christmas . Not sure about ds1, except that he wants to kit himself out as a spy, but ds2's (hopeful)list will feature batman fairly heavily, I fear . We can always buy it secondhand I suppose, although I nurture private hopes of making him a wooden Batmobile . Dd2 is still small enough to enjoy what mummy thinks is best.

OP posts:
southeastastra · 17/09/2006 17:20

playmobile is fab though and lasts for years, my son still plays with my old stuff

Original poster
TooTicky · 17/09/2006 17:21

Enid, if you haven't already bought one, my ds1 is selling a large playmobil castle....

OP posts:
Enid · 17/09/2006 17:32

sorry we bought one off ebay! the girly one

(I suggest you put your castle on ebay - you should do well as it is before xmas!)