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Do a quick Internet search for “green” (as in, “ecofriendly”) redemption merchandise. You likely won’t find a whole lot. In fact, you’re much more inclined to see green (as in the color) knickknacks, doohickeys, and thingamabobs that inspire guests to play your games.
 “Despite the growth of environmental awareness, we haven’t seen a huge demand for green items,” notes Mark Hollywood, vice president of product solutions for Redemption Plus in Lenexa, Kansas. “We have offered eco-friendly products to our customers in the past, but many are reluctant to incur the additional associated costs. Green toys or products typically tend to be more expensive in nature and, from what we have seen, many buyers are still warming to the green concept. We are in a very price-sensitive industry, so asking them to pay more for the same item is tough to do. “However, all of our customers are keenly aware of the improved safety standards and regulations that were implemented via the CPSIA (Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act of 2008) in late 2008.”
Redemption expert Karyn Gitler doesn’t see family entertainment centers (FECs) heading toward green merchandise, either. She, too, blames the economy and the extra expense as well as limited choices.
“The issue becomes in order to go green you have to be willing to put the money there,” says Gitler, owner of Kreative sourcinG in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. “The majority of our business is under the $2 level. There are not many green things you can do for that.”
Green Options Exist
Yet not all is lost if you work at an FEC wanting to move toward at least some green redemption items for your guests. You just may have to dig around a little bit.
More retailers are beginning to introduce eco-friendly toys made from recycled products or organic components, Hollywood says. Some manufacturers also give particular consideration to reduced packaging. In addition, 2010’s International Toy Fair in New York marked the debut of a green pavilion, featuring environmentally conscious toys, dolls, games, and activities for kids of all ages, he says.
News like this makes Jennifer Crawford happy. She plans to open Gaia’s World Fun Center, an eco-friendly FEC, later this year in the Seattle, Washington, area (for more on her facility, turn to p. 50). Green redemption will be a main component there. The items she plans to stock include:
- Plush where the outer fabric and stuffing are polyester fiber made from 100 percent recycled plastic PET bottles. (available on Stuffedanimals.com)
- Soy crayons and coloring books printed with “Ecosmart” inks on paper containing 20 percent post-consumer recycled content. (available on Recycledpromos.com)
- Biodegradable flyers. (available on Recycledpromos.com)
Recycledpromos.com features several other eco-friendly items that could find a home on your redemption shelves, such as: piggy banks made from recycled phone books; balloons made from biodegradable latex; and environment themed stickers made from 100 percent post-consumer waste.
And of course, candy is dandy, but organic snacks can still satisfy. Numerous websites offer healthier alternatives for kids with treats like granola bars, fruit bites, and veggie chips.
Encouraging Future
In the years to come, Hollywood expects green toys to become more prevalent because costs to produce them will drop and overall awareness will increase.
 “Going green is becoming more and more popular in all walks of life. It’s a natural progression that toys and other products will begin to embrace this philosophy,” he concludes. “As we find more efficient and effective ways to recycle materials and use eco-friendly products in mass production, it will become the norm as opposed to the exception. Recent improvements in toy safety standards have helped accelerate this progress.
“Kids will always enjoy toys, so as long as the play value exists, a child may not differentiate between a conventional or green toy,” he continues. “However, it’s nice to know that we can reduce the carbon footprint for future generations.”
Christine Buhr, co-owner of Shakers Fun Centre in Calgary, Canada, has placed a few items with sustainable materials on her wall, but she admits a higher ticket value as well as a more mellow presentation may mute interest for now.
“Our main client base is younger individuals, and they are still grasping the concept of renewable and sustainable products,” she says. “I think that over the next few years as this category of items grows and we have more exciting eye-catching items—hopefully at a lower cost—they will naturally start to move better.”
 FUNWORLD asked a trio of redemption experts about the latest (nongreen) trends. Here’s what they see coming up big this year:
The silicone arm bands are tapering off but still very popular in licenses. The Japanese-type erasers that children are collecting are also still popular. Also, there are Paper Jamz, new huge Nerf Blasters, FurReal Friends (the next piece following the Zhu Zhu pet trend), Orbeez (these are popular in the midwestern U.S. right now), Squinkies, and Sing-A-Ma-Jigs from Mattel. —Karyn Gitler, owner, Kreative sourcinG
Pillow Pets, rosary beads, and Empower Bandz, the one-inch wide carryover from Silly Bandz. —Michael Getlan, director of enthusiasm and opportunity!, Amusement Consultants Ltd., New Roc Entertainment, and Smiles Amusement Co. LLC
“With our FEC customers, we are noticing a trend to lower ticket items. This could be an indicator of the current economic conditions. However, buyers still want these low-end prizes (e.g., stickers, small toys, and mini versions of staple items such as yo-yos, whistles, water shooters, etc.) to have a high perceived value that fits their desired price points.” —Mark Hollywood, vice president of product solutions, Redemption Plus |
Contact Contributing Editor Mike Bederka at mbederka@IAAPA.org.
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