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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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 Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: Fair Trade/Organic toys in Korea. |
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Hi,
I was wondering if anybody could recommend a store/website in Korea where I could get fair trade-organic toys (Haba, Sigikid, Lana brands etc.). Seoul or Gwangju maybe? To clarify: I am looking for wooden, non-toxic toys that are HOPEFULLY made by companies with a clean human rights record. Organic in the sense that they are NOT plastic and not covered in lead.
Or am I doomed to buying them online and having them shipped? I manged to find 3 Haba toys in a baby store here in Mokpo, but that's it!
Thanks!
Last edited by potblackettle on Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:52 am; edited 1 time in total |
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moosehead
Joined: 05 May 2007
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:54 am Post subject: |
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you've got to be kidding, right?
where on earth do you think sweat shops originated, Sweden?
I've seen so many toys here that were banned in the U.S. decades ago - I kid you not - for safety reasons - it's frightening.
and you're looking for fair trade items? don't you realize they would also then be more child-friendly?
shop on the net - you'll do better there I'm sure. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 2:58 am Post subject: |
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Organic is just a label and hype. I was listening to one lady claiming organic sheets are better. See cotton is a crop and uses pesticide. Therefore there's still pesticide on the sheets. Ummm. Don't they wash these things, ever?
Fair trade is just a hype label too. |
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Bramble
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Location: National treasures need homes
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:32 am Post subject: |
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| I don't know, but if you have links to the Web sites I'd appreciate it. If they have anything good, I'll use them when I'm shopping for my niece. |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| Try picking stuff up secondhand at a flea market or The Beautiful Store. It's not going to be organic or fair trade, but by buying secondhand you are helping reuse resources that might otherwise be thrown out, which is generally better than having new stuff produced. You'll also be supporting worthy charities (The Beautiful Store) or hard-working Korean locals trying to make a respectable living (flea market traders). You'll also save yourself a buck or two (I got a great pair of trousers from the Beautiful Store for 3000w). |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:45 am Post subject: |
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| moosehead wrote: |
you've got to be kidding, right?
where on earth do you think sweat shops originated, Sweden?
I've seen so many toys here that were banned in the U.S. decades ago - I kid you not - for safety reasons - it's frightening.
and you're looking for fair trade items? don't you realize they would also then be more child-friendly?
shop on the net - you'll do better there I'm sure. |
Well, yeah... that's why I said "Fair Trade" AND "organic"... and yes, I'm well aware that Asia is a sweatshop haven... however, I have seen HABA toys in Korea, so I know it is POSSIBLE to find them. I was mainly hoping someone could list a store that had a good selection of these toys. I'll take HABA, at least they're not made in China and they don't commit horrible human rights abuses. And the toys are wooden!
Last edited by potblackettle on Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:51 am; edited 1 time in total |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:47 am Post subject: |
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| mindmetoo wrote: |
Organic is just a label and hype. I was listening to one lady claiming organic sheets are better. See cotton is a crop and uses pesticide. Therefore there's still pesticide on the sheets. Ummm. Don't they wash these things, ever?
Fair trade is just a hype label too. |
Actually, the brands I listed are NOT hype... they're certified by numerous legitimate organizations.
Is there anyway one of you could actually answer my question?
I know why/what I'm buying... I have my reasons, I didn't start this thread to have a debate, just to find locations for purchasing the brands/types of toys I mentioned.
Essentially it boils down to this: I don't want to give my son toys that were made in China by abused laborers and are covered in lead paint. |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 3:49 am Post subject: |
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| kiwiduncan wrote: |
| Try picking stuff up secondhand at a flea market or The Beautiful Store. It's not going to be organic or fair trade, but by buying secondhand you are helping reuse resources that might otherwise be thrown out, which is generally better than having new stuff produced. You'll also be supporting worthy charities (The Beautiful Store) or hard-working Korean locals trying to make a respectable living (flea market traders). You'll also save yourself a buck or two (I got a great pair of trousers from the Beautiful Store for 3000w). |
THANK YOU! I SOOOOOOO appreciate that you wanted to answer my question. I'll definitely check them out when we make our next trip to Seoul. My main thing is to save resources and NOT give my son lead covered toys... I also really dig wooden toys because I'm not a huge fan of plastic toys.
Can you give me a location on the Beautiful Store? |
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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 4:40 am Post subject: |
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You might be able to find hand crafted wooden kids toys in Korea too, but it'll take a lot of hunting and you'll probably end up paying a premium.
As for the Beautiful Store, they actually have one next to HaDang Industrial Bank (하당 기업은행) in Sang Dong in Mokpo. Their number is 061-285-8975 and they are open from 10.30am to 6pm. |
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mindmetoo
Joined: 02 Feb 2004
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:04 am Post subject: |
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| potblackettle wrote: |
| mindmetoo wrote: |
Organic is just a label and hype. I was listening to one lady claiming organic sheets are better. See cotton is a crop and uses pesticide. Therefore there's still pesticide on the sheets. Ummm. Don't they wash these things, ever?
Fair trade is just a hype label too. |
Actually, the brands I listed are NOT hype... they're certified by numerous legitimate organizations.
Is there anyway one of you could actually answer my question?
I know why/what I'm buying... I have my reasons, I didn't start this thread to have a debate, just to find locations for purchasing the brands/types of toys I mentioned.
Essentially it boils down to this: I don't want to give my son toys that were made in China by abused laborers and are covered in lead paint. |
Any group is happy to give you a label for the money. Certified doesn't mean safe or effective or worth the cost. |
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A2Steve
Joined: 10 Nov 2007
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: |
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| potblackettle wrote: |
| And the toys are wooden! |
You want to give your child WOOD toys?!?!?!
why not just let 'em play with a bottle of kerosene and some matches. 
I thought all parents knew the fun stuff comes from China- from illegal fireworks and matchbox cars with lead paint, to illegal toy guns and action figures with lead paint. it's on CNN, ya know.  |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:06 am Post subject: |
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| mindmetoo wrote: |
| potblackettle wrote: |
| mindmetoo wrote: |
Organic is just a label and hype. I was listening to one lady claiming organic sheets are better. See cotton is a crop and uses pesticide. Therefore there's still pesticide on the sheets. Ummm. Don't they wash these things, ever?
Fair trade is just a hype label too. |
Actually, the brands I listed are NOT hype... they're certified by numerous legitimate organizations.
Is there anyway one of you could actually answer my question?
I know why/what I'm buying... I have my reasons, I didn't start this thread to have a debate, just to find locations for purchasing the brands/types of toys I mentioned.
Essentially it boils down to this: I don't want to give my son toys that were made in China by abused laborers and are covered in lead paint. |
Any group is happy to give you a label for the money. Certified doesn't mean safe or effective or worth the cost. |
I just want to buy some Haba or Sigikid toys or any brand of wooden or cloth toy that are painted/dyed with non-toxic materials. Do you know where I can get some or not?
This is why I rarely use Dave's, because no matter what question you ask people just want to turn it into a debate or argument instead of just answering the question.
Last edited by potblackettle on Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:10 am; edited 2 times in total |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:08 am Post subject: |
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| A2Steve wrote: |
| potblackettle wrote: |
| And the toys are wooden! |
You want to give your child WOOD toys?!?!?!
why not just let 'em play with a bottle of kerosene and some matches.
I thought all parents knew the fun stuff comes from China- from illegal fireworks and matchbox cars with lead paint, to illegal toy guns and action figures with lead paint. it's on CNN, ya know. |
I know... that's what my husband keeps saying! 
He thinks it's time to start the boy on GTA. |
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potblackettle
Joined: 23 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:12 am Post subject: |
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| Bramble wrote: |
| I don't know, but if you have links to the Web sites I'd appreciate it. If they have anything good, I'll use them when I'm shopping for my niece. |
www.oompa.com is a great site for wooden/cloth/non-toxic/plastic toys.
They carry a ton of brands and you can see where each toy is made. I generally try to purchase European made toys because they have higher standards of toy safety. Plus a lot of the stuff on Oompa is just really, really cool. I just wanted to find somewhere in Korea so I could replace some plastic toys my son was given quickly. |
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Bramble
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Location: National treasures need homes
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| Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 5:28 am Post subject: |
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| potblackettle wrote: |
| Bramble wrote: |
| I don't know, but if you have links to the Web sites I'd appreciate it. If they have anything good, I'll use them when I'm shopping for my niece. |
www.oompa.com is a great site for wooden/cloth/non-toxic/plastic toys.
They carry a ton of brands and you can see where each toy is made. I generally try to purchase European made toys because they have higher standards of toy safety. Plus a lot of the stuff on Oompa is just really, really cool. I just wanted to find somewhere in Korea so I could replace some plastic toys my son was given quickly. |
Thanks! I'll check it out.
Oh, and it looks as if The Beautiful Store has an English Web site now ... I'll have to try shopping there more.
http://www.bstore.org/eng_new/index.asp |
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