by The Green Moderator
Member since:
April 9, 2007

Transcript of Live Chat: How Our Kids' Toys Affect the Environment - Tues, 6/12 @ 2PM

June 11, 2007 12:01 PM EDT (Updated: June 19, 2007 02:29 PM EDT)
views: 49 | rating: 10/10 (5 votes) | comments: 41

fileId:3096224744155565;size:inter;Kids are the future! If we’re to create a brighter future for our world, we need to instill environmental awareness in our children at home, in schools, and through hands-on eco programs. Even the toys we give our kids can have a lot to say about the environment. Green toys teach kids to think about where things come from and where they’ll go—an early lesson in environmental responsibility and responsible buying. In addition, toys made of natural, renewable materials that are durable and non-toxic are much safer.

fileId:3096224744155568;size:inter;On Tuesday, June 12th from 2-3PM ET, Gather will host a live chat with Barbera Aimes. Barbera created an alternative to landfill-clogging, chemically toxic plastic toys with ImagiPLAY, a line of playthings made from renewable, non-splintering rubberwood.  

Find out more about Barbera's "big idea" in the chat, and be sure to catch her on "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" at 9PM ET on the Sundance Channel.

If you cannot make it to the chat leave Barbera a comment in the box below.  

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Do you have a "Big Idea" for the environment? Join The Green to learn more about Robert Redford's new television series about sustainable living. To join, click here.
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Comments: 41

Carol Lloyd Jun 11, 2007, 1:13pm EDT
doctors appt sry to miss it
The Green Moderator Jun 12, 2007, 11:14am EDT
We hope that you will be able to make the chat here at 2 PM ET! If you are not able to be here, please feel free to leave Barbera a question in the comment thread of this article.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 1:34pm EDT
I'm looking to seeing everyone at 2pm ET.
The Green Moderator Jun 12, 2007, 2:00pm EDT
Welcome to Gather Barbera! We look forward to spending the next hour with you as you answer Gather member questions about ImagiPlay and your approach producing environmentally friendly children's toys.
Ann Oxford Jun 12, 2007, 2:01pm EDT
Barbera, I grew up in a time where "play" meant stay outside until dinner time. With kids today so addicted to computers and video games, what challenges do you face when you think about rolling out a new product?
Kathleen W. Jun 12, 2007, 2:02pm EDT
Hi Barbera! Glad to have you. I was wondering if you could explain what exactly "rubberwood" is please?
Bridget Riley Jun 12, 2007, 2:02pm EDT
Hi Barbera,

I'm notorious for buying my nieces toys that are apparently bad for them, according to my sister-in-law who is much more sensitive about these things than I am. What are some of the worst environmentally-offensive toys out there (so I can avoid being yelled at by my sister-in-law AGAIN)? Thanks!
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:05pm EDT
Hi Ann. That's a great question. Computers are here to stay and it's increasing important that kids spend time learning on them, as they will become a big part of their lives as they get older, but as with most things, there is a balance and parents need to be aware of the importance of providing playthings that inspire kid's imaginations. That this is equally important as what they will "learn" from computers and other tools.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:08pm EDT
Hi Kathleen. Rubberwood is a tree that is originally a native of Brazil. It produces a sap that is used to make rubber. It was brought to Indonesia at the turn of the century, when the automobile industry was taking shape and planted on plantations, large and small. The trees have transformed the economy of this area and still provide rubber for gloves, tires, etc. The trees produce this sap for 25-30 years and then are harvested. They used to burn the wood! Now we use it to make toys and furniture. It's perfect for toys because it's a hardwood and it's non-splintering.
Linda H. Jun 12, 2007, 2:09pm EDT
Barbera, How difficult did you find it to launch a business like this? I've heard that the children's toy industry is extremely cut throat. Or do you have an advantage because you are in the "green" niche?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:10pm EDT
Hi Bridget. I'd avoid plastic toys, if you don't want to get yelled at. They can contain phalates, which are carcinogens. If the children are under three years old, watch for any toys with small pieces.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:11pm EDT
Hi AC. Our best sellers are the ones which really inspire children's imaginations. Our Animal Alphabet puzzle is gorgeous AND educational. Our playsets with themes like Zoom to the Moon and Arctic Expedtion all do well as do our corrugated cardboard blocks because they are open ended.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:14pm EDT
Hi Linda. Launching any business is a labor of love. It's true the toy business is "cut throat" and it wasn't until as recently as last year that presenting ourselves as "green" was a benefit at all. As someone at the forefront of the green movement I'm thrilled to report to everyone just how quickly people's awareness of this issue has been changing. I've been making environmentally friendly toys for 10 years, but it wasn't until 2 years ago that I could market them as such. Every year at Toy Fair, the toy industry's main event, I would "test the waters" by showing customers a sticker I would want to place on our products that would say, "made from recycled corrugated cardboard" for example, and every year I would get nothing but negative feedback to the sticker. "Please don't do that", they would say, "My customers will see that and think the product is used and want a reduced price". Two years ago I noticed a distinct change in people's perceptions of the green movement and now we are actually able to benefit from that "niche".
Francois G. Jun 12, 2007, 2:16pm EDT
Hi Barbera. Welcome to Gather! I have noticed in my travels that Europeans have a much better selection of eco friendly toys than we do here in the U.S. Do you see any trend in the U.S. toy industry that might indicate there is a movement to create more eco friendly toys?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:18pm EDT
Hi Francois. I'm really happy to report that I do see that trend. It hasn't hit the mainstream yet, but more and more small, specialty retailers are leaning toward European made or designed toys. It was late last year when we started getting phone calls from retailers asking WHERE our toys were made and OF WHAT. I was so thrilled to get those questions, because before that, it seemed, no one cared. That's a major move forward.
The Green Moderator Jun 12, 2007, 2:19pm EDT
John A. from WA sent in this question: Barbera, How do you know if a product will be a hit with the kids? Do you do extensive research with children directly? Educators?
Ann Oxford Jun 12, 2007, 2:21pm EDT
Hi Barbera, What do you find to be the most disappointing about conventional children's toys today?
Kathleen W. Jun 12, 2007, 2:21pm EDT
Thats wonderful that you are finally benefitting from the eco theme of your products. How often do you introduce new concepts and ideas into your toys?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:23pm EDT
Hi John. How do I know if a product will be a hit? Hmmmm.... We definately do research. In fact, on the "Kids" episode of "Big Ideas for a Small Planet" airing tonight, they show us doing a toy test at a local preschool. I wouldn't necessarily call it "extensive research", but we do involve kids, educators and parents to see how the product is perceived from all perspectives. But to tell you the truth, after that, it's all a big, somewhat-educated guess as to if it will be a hit or not.
Liz K. Jun 12, 2007, 2:23pm EDT
Barbera, I am really looking forward to seeing The Green on Sundance tonight. I think they mentioned somewhere that the factories where your products are made are close to the source of materials that you use. Can you talk a little bit about where they are and why you decided to do it this way?
Jeffrey Martin Jun 12, 2007, 2:27pm EDT
Barbera, It sounds you have one of the coolest jobs in the world. What does it take to bring a product to life in terms of the time line, from conceptualization to realization of the end product?
Jen (I'm back for more!) G. Jun 12, 2007, 2:27pm EDT
My nephew just turned 7 and is very environmentally conscious! Where are your toys available and is there something you could recommend for him. He is all about animals ,nature, and finding out new things.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:28pm EDT
Hi Ann. There are many things that dissapoint me about conventional kids toys. One is the lack of awareness of the materials used, where they are being made (that is how many times materials are transported and how far just to save on labor costs) and who is making them. As far as the toys themselves are concerned, the lack of creativity is dissapointing. When a toy becomes popular, there are a thousand copies of it, but very little new things being produced. Most popular toys are built around movie or tv figures and offer very little to the child's imagination.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:29pm EDT
Hi Kathleen. Being a very, very small company, we can only introduce new toys once a year. My main job as toy conceptualizer and designer is to come up with new ideas and I spend all year looking, thinking, doodling, etc.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:33pm EDT
Hi EK. As I was researching wooden toys, I learned that most wooden toys in this country are made from pine and made in China. The interesting thing about that is that Pine is not produced in China! It's produced in N. America. So the pine is shipped to China, where it is made into toys and then shipped back to us! I felt that was very much NOT an earth-friendly way to produce anything, so I set out to find a factory that is close to where the wood material I wanted to use is located. Less oil and gas expenditure that way.
The Green Moderator Jun 12, 2007, 2:34pm EDT
Mary F. from NY sent in this question: Barbera, do your products include children's books? If not, would you consider it?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:36pm EDT
Hi Jeffrey. It's true, I DO have a great job - even with all the stress and worry thrown in, in between creative moments! :) The time from concept to market can vary greatly. Usually it's 6-9 months, but I've actually had an idea at the very last moment, had samples overnighted from Sri Lanka, photographed it for the catalog and had the product to sell within a month! I don't recommend that as a typical way to create a new product, however. :)
Linda H. Jun 12, 2007, 2:38pm EDT
Barbera, I applaud you for pursuing a path that meant something to you and is so important in terms of raising our awareness of how wasteful we are. I still have the Lincoln Logs from when I was young. I got a ton of mileage from them and they outlasted every other toy I had. Do eco friendly products have the same staying power?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:41pm EDT
Hi Mary F. It's funny you should bring up books. I was just talking to an author this morning about how we could cross market. She is working on a wonderful book about a crooked pine tree and we are talking about doing a puzzle of the tree.
Robin Noack Jun 12, 2007, 2:41pm EDT
What is your background? Did you study design or did you have any experience in business?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
Hi AC. That's a good question. Eco friendly toys tend to be slightly higher than comparable conventional toys. You're paying mostly for the higher quality, though, so are receiving not only a toy with less impact on the planet, but also one that will last longer and with greater play value.
greg c. Jun 12, 2007, 2:44pm EDT
Can you describe your most popular toy for boys... and girls.
The Green Moderator Jun 12, 2007, 2:45pm EDT
Unfortunately, there are only fifteen minutes left in the chat. Barbera will try to answer as many questions as time permits.
matt f. Jun 12, 2007, 2:46pm EDT
Hi Barbera - Is your company planning on creating products other than children's toys?
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:48pm EDT
Hi Linda. Fantastic, and I applaud YOU for keeping your Lincoln Logs. What a great, open-ended toy they are! I can't speak to all eco friendly toys, but I one of the criterias of OUR toys is that they be of a high quality and last a long time. I hope other manufacturers will follow suit when they start marketing their toys as "eco friendly".
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:50pm EDT
Hi Greg. Our most popular toys for boys AND girls are our Corrugated Cardboard Building blocks (made from recycled cardboard), our themed playsets (particularly our Zoom to the Moon, Arctic Expedition and Farm sets... AND our new African Safari set) and our decorative puzzles.
Robin Noack Jun 12, 2007, 2:53pm EDT
Barbera, What retail stores or websites can your products be found? A lot of my friends have started families and I need to get in gear. Eco friendly toys would be a real hit.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:53pm EDT
Hi Matt. This year we introduced children's room decor to our line up, and that has proven to be a hit. We are thinking of following up with some children's furniture and who knows what else. Our idea of longevity for a toy or product is one that is made with quality materials and made to last a long time....but also equally important, a product needs to be beautiful so that people will WANT to keep it for a long time. A well-designed, beautiful product, whether it's a toy or a piece of furniture or room decor is far less likely to end up in a land fill.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:54pm EDT
Hi Robin, I can't list all the stores here, and they're growing every day, but if you visit our website at www.ImagiPLAY.com, you'll find a list of retailers who carry our products. You can also order online.
Barbera Aimes Jun 12, 2007, 2:58pm EDT
Hi Robin. I'm sorry I missed your earlier question. I have no background in design or this kind of business. If we're successful, I hope to be a shining example of what you can do if you just dream and believe...... or should I say "WHEN" we're successful. :)
The Green Moderator Jun 12, 2007, 2:59pm EDT
Barbera, thank you for joining us this afternoon. And thank you to all the Gather members who participated. Until next time!

Tune into the Sundance Channel tonight, Tuesday, June 12th at 9 p.m. to see Barbera and learn more about ImagiPlay.

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