Toys are objects or items designed for play, entertainment and enjoyment, typically used by children but also adults for recreational purposes. Plastic toys range from action figures and building blocks to dolls and toy vehicles as well as animal play toys among others. Some plastic toys are produced by domestic industries whereas others are second hand imported from the countries in the global north. As per the report from Uganda importers and buyers directory 2023, there are 71 active children plastic toys importers.  At least 95% of Ugandan households are in possession of plastic toys whether directly or indirectly. Today very many food processing industries in Uganda for children snacks such as Kick snacks are using these plastic toys as promotional materials to attract quick customers for their products. These toys are considered cheap by communities since they come along with a snack of Uganda shillings 500. Globally the toy market exceeded USD 90billion in 2019. In Uganda the toy market is projected to grow by 9.66% between 2024 and 2028 resulting in a market volume of US$975m in 2028. Furthermore, the Uganda toy manufacturing industry is growing steadily and at a very fast rate with so far three large plastic toy producing companies for solely toys and very many plastics industries that are producing toys alongside other plastic products.

Despite, the need to equip children with play toys as an integral part of childhood; they are one of the major plastic pollutants in Uganda. It is confirmed that 90% of toys are made of plastics. Plastic toys dominate the market because of their low cost and easy accessibility. The UNEP report 2014 “Valuing plastics” highlighted that the toy industry is the most plastic intensive industry in the world.  Plastic toys are made from plastics, which are molded into a nearly limitless array of shapes and sizes, making it perfect for creating toys. The types plastics that are frequently used include; polyethylene and polypropylene which are known for their durability and flexibility.

 Plastic toys are prime examples of items designed to spark joy and entertainment to children but their whole life cycle often poses major threats and dangers to the environment as well as human health. The plastic toys production and transportation is energy concentrated with most of the toys requiring large amounts of energy to bring out the shapes, designs as well as hardening the material, this is associated with green gas house emissions and toxic particles which are released into the atmosphere hence causing air pollution crisis as well once inhaled by humans it poses serious respiratory damage. Plastic toys have a short life span since most of them are single-use plastics, they are quickly disposed off and end up in landfills as well broken particles are driven off by running water into channels, lakes and oceans causing blockages once they pile up as well corroding digestive tracts of fish species and humans in the food chain. From global statistics it has been noted that toys contribute 12.7% of global plastic waste and it is estimated that 80% of plastic toys end up in the landfills as children’s tastes and preferences of toys change from time to time and they account for 6% of landfill plastics. In Uganda Kiteezi is a major landfill were all these plastic toys from different households end up.

Plastic toys are made from complex substances, chemical additives and hard materials specifically to withstand children’s rough play unfortunately these make it non-recyclable making disposal the best option for them, most house hold carry out incineration of such plastic waste this is harmful since it is associated with green house gas emissions causing air pollution, other households  tend to just throw away these toys into the landfills as well as domestic rubbish pits, most of these are non-biodegradable hence contaminating the soil structure and texture.

 Plastic toys are easily breakable and therefore tiny particles are easily swallowed by young ones, these plastic toys are made from dangerous materials such as lead and cadmium as well as other toxic chemicals such as polyvinyl chloride, phthalates which end up in children’s bodies,  damaging systems and causing life threatening conditions to children as well as death.

The current proliferation of plastic toys has led to a pressing environmental and public health crisis; however amidst the crisis and challenges posed by plastic toys, we can transform the toy industry as below to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic toys;

 The toy industry should adopt the use of natural resources and materials like wood, sisal, bamboo among others that are environmentally friendly, durable and can withstand rough play in production of toys to promote sustainable play, reusability and biodegradability hence reducing the plastic pollution crisis.

The government should put in place strict law legislation on production of plastic toys such as bans on extremely poisonous chemicals used in production of the plastic toys as well as enhance quality controls on plastic toys produced in regard environmental concerns. Furthermore, the government should impose high taxes on all industries producing plastics toys so as to discourage its production and consumption.

 Plastic toy producers should come up with Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and initiatives to follow up on their products to the end of their lifecycle. They should seek feedback from consumers and seek to redesign and transform their products according to consumer needs and environmental sustainability as well.

Individuals and households should advocate for proper waste management policies from bodies like Kampala Capital City Authority that are entitled to managing waste and also be more vigilant on disposal and incineration of waste to reduce the harmful impacts on both the environment and people.

Creating awareness on the effects of plastic toys on the environment and public health as well through environmental activists, NGOs such as End Plastic Pollution in Uganda carries out sensitization on toys as plastic pollutants, more so this can be through publications in magazines, newspapers, creating blogs and articles as well as mass campaigns on eradicating plastic toys. Campaign activities such as cleanups tend to bring many individuals and households together as the key decision maker in toy purchases are able to acquire knowledge on the effects of plastic toys.

In conclusion, the plastic toys pollution crisis demands immediate attention and collective action, therefore by adopting sustainable production, consumption, usage and disposal of plastic toys we can create a future for our children where playtime and sustainability go hand in hand.

 

BY: NAMWANGA PATRICIA KIZITO
Plastics Campaigner – End Plastic Pollution.