As parents and caregivers become increasingly eco-conscious, the demand for sustainable toys has surged in 2024. Families are seeking out playtime products made from renewable, biodegradable materials that minimize waste and environmental impact.
Leading this green revolution is Karen Villard, the founder of Cubo Toys, a family-owned startup based in Hong Kong. As a mother of two young children, Villard brings a unique perspective to the toy industry. In addition to her entrepreneurial role, she serves as a play ambassador, the founder of a local preschool, and an experienced early childhood educator.
What inspired you to start an eco-friendly toy company like Cubo Toys?
As a parent, I became increasingly concerned about the environmental impact and waste generated by the traditional toy industry. I noticed how many toys were made from non-recyclable plastics, had a short lifespan, and ended up in landfills. This motivated me to find a better way to create toys that are not only fun and educational, but also sustainable.
How does the single-use, age-specific nature of many mainstream toys limit their educational value and longevity of use?
Traditional toys are often designed for a narrow age range and a specific purpose, meaning children quickly outgrow them or lose interest. This creates a cycle of constantly buying new toys, which not only wastes resources but also limits the potential for open-ended, imaginative play and learning. Toys that can adapt and grow with a child over time are much more valuable from an educational and sustainability standpoint.
How did these observations and concerns shape your approach to the design and development of Cubo Toys?
We wanted to create a fundamentally different model that addresses the environmental and educational shortcomings of traditional toys. Our focus was on designing modular products that can be reconfigured and used in multiple ways to encourage open-ended play. Like our Cubo Montessori Box, it is made of beech wood, which has a higher growth than harvest rate.
How does the modular, multi-use design of Cubo Toys encourage open-ended, imaginative play and learning?
The design of Cubo Toys allows children to continuously reconfigure the pieces following the curated pathways of learning. While our toys would have a definite set of recommended ways to play, we are still surprised with what the community comes up with and realize it all comes down with our unique perspectives. So for example, this toy is 3in1 but one can come up with 2 or 3 more.
Can you share any data or feedback you’ve received on the positive environmental and developmental impact of Cubo Toys?
Our internal data shows that we have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to plastic toys, with up to 60% less embodied emissions. As we’re using natural materials like wood, our emissions and energy consumption are lower by leaps and bounds – 6x less for production, 8.5x for transport, and 5.1x for disposal compared to single-use toys.
