Shades of green: Greening your toy box (part 3)

Green meter: medium green

Buy local.  In our area, we unfortunately don't have the option of buying directly from many toy manufacturers.  However, Crocodile Creek, a toy company with a variety of offerings, houses its distribution warehouse in Durham.  What does this mean?  Because the distribution center is local, the toys travel a relatively short distance to our local toy stores, thus reducing the carbon footprint of that particular toy.  Unfortunately, many of the products offered by Crocodile Creek are made in China.

Another North Carolina-based toy manufacture, Master Woodcraft out of Oxford, has a variety of offerings that might be found in some of our local toy stores.  These toys aren't just distributed from North Carolina, but area made in North Carolina, as well.

Sometimes buying locally just isn't an option.  But to reduce the carbon footprint of your toy box, purchase toys that have been made in America.  To purchase high quality wooden trains, track and cars, check out Whittle Wooden Train.   For trampolines, visit Best American out of Texas.  Replace your play-doh with Play Clay.  Because Mr. Rogers is a favorite in our house, we love Holgate Toys.  For a seemingly comprehensive list of goods made in the USA, visit American Made Products online or do a quick Internet search for "made in the USA."