The toy industry's quiet revolution

I saw some pretty wild stuff in Hong Kong. There was a toy named “Squeezy, Squeezy Clam,” (dumb toy, great name); there were enough toy helicopters to win the war in Afghanistan and there were RC cars that were so big that you could just about fit inside.

What really struck me, however, was a quiet revolution going on in the very materials from which toys are made. I saw any number of new forms of wood, plastic, vinyl and foam. Bamboo is definitely the material du jour. 

It’s all happening because manufacturers are actually responding to the desire for materials that are environmentally friendly or are responsive to new or anticipated government regulations. The new plastics, vinyl and foam I saw were both biodegradable and kid friendly (no phthalates at all). The bamboo I saw was surprisingly beautiful and kind to the planet. Bamboo grows quickly so it spares trees and it provides great tensile strength without the use of petroleum.

These changes are not as sexy or exotic as what we are seeing in technology but are probably, in their own way, more revolutionary. Keep your eyes and mind open for these new materials. They could save your company  trouble, grief and money.