tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post1934602315571518867..comments2024-03-25T14:54:04.942+00:00Comments on Dora Reads: Nerd Church - I'm Not (Totally) Lovin' It: Why I'm Not Entirely Happy (Meal) That They're Ditching The Plastic ToysCee Arr @ Dora Readshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04074909561530525221noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-50826840800964849012020-09-18T15:52:02.352+01:002020-09-18T15:52:02.352+01:00Thanks! It's honestly fairly strange to me tha...Thanks! It's honestly fairly strange to me that this is news to a lot of people. But it very much proves that people don't know what they don't know, I guess. I know that a lot of kids who already had that particular happy meal toy would give it to their sibling or cousin, or to a friend. <br /><br />I can remember buying happy meal toys second-hand at charity stalls, too. And like I said it was brand-name stuff - My Little Pony etc. And even though my parents were, like I said, comfortable, my My Little Pony toys were almost universally second-hand - some of them had belonged to my older cousin, some I picked up at charity things etc. So I never really considered them 'disposable.' <br /><br />I do know that a lot of Happy Meal toys *did* end up in landfill (somehow... I honestly don't know of anyone who would've thrown them out unless they were broken...) but... I think maybe we need to teach kids about value, and disposing of things responsibly, as opposed to just saying 'no one should have this thing.'<br /><br />Still, hopefully the alternatives they've come up with will work well!Cee Arr @ Dora Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04074909561530525221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-15632321423391605852020-09-17T20:54:55.903+01:002020-09-17T20:54:55.903+01:00I would never have thought of this, but you are so...I would never have thought of this, but you are so very right! There are many children who benefit from Happy Meal Toys and may not have the means to get other types of toys. And, honestly, I feel like toys are one type of plastic that is less "disposable"---I mean, I do know that many kids end up not holding onto their Happy Meal Toys for all that long, but it's not like plastic packaging that's literally meant to be thrown away. I do still understand the underlying impulse, though, and of course we want to take care of our world in as many ways as we can. But I agree that this time the disadvantages to poor kids might outweigh the benefits to the environment. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Cee!<br /><br />Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com" rel="nofollow">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addictionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08637114079800138680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-9486055130054958472020-09-16T15:17:34.578+01:002020-09-16T15:17:34.578+01:00Their current plan is to introduce soft toys, pape...Their current plan is to introduce soft toys, paper toys, and books - so hopefully all will work out for the best!Cee Arr @ Dora Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04074909561530525221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-79105810344253210992020-09-16T09:07:15.681+01:002020-09-16T09:07:15.681+01:00You always make me think of things I wouldn't ...You always make me think of things I wouldn't have thought about. I hadn't heard about this situation but I understand what you mean about the toys being so useful to low income families. Hopefully they will replace them with something more environmentally friendly?Olivia's Catastrophehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12706765857201768908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-18071438072931256072020-09-15T12:40:27.380+01:002020-09-15T12:40:27.380+01:00Nuance is unfortunately not something modern socie...Nuance is unfortunately not something modern society (or possibly hooman beans in general) is much good at!Cee Arr @ Dora Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04074909561530525221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-2495529602773703082020-09-14T14:13:27.525+01:002020-09-14T14:13:27.525+01:00I couldn't agree with you more, Cee Arr. It...I couldn't agree with you more, Cee Arr. It's a complicated subject for sure, but I really don't like how marginalized people can be pushed to the side with initiatives like these. There has to be nuance and an understanding that not everyone is able to do the more eco-friendly option (whatever that option may be). Lydiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14241300876630582609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-76658463779519092112020-09-14T12:46:33.529+01:002020-09-14T12:46:33.529+01:00Thanks Em!
That's the thing - we don't kn...Thanks Em!<br /><br />That's the thing - we don't know what we don't know. Some days, my nan can't drink at all without a straw - and the paper straws disintegrate in hot drinks (hot drinks also help us keep her core body temperature up, because she gets hypothermic.) I think that making things available for those who need them, while pushing the paper straws and stocking more paper straws, is much better. My local coffee shop also gives a price reduction if you bring your own re-usable cup, which is an awesome step.<br /><br />Like I said, my point here is not that we need to stop getting rid of plastic - we *need* to cut down on plastics - especially non-recyclable plastics. <br /><br />I just think we need to think things through - a lack of forethought is what got us into this mess, after all.Cee Arr @ Dora Readshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04074909561530525221noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-904551567804562350.post-13004355458659243452020-09-13T14:09:27.412+01:002020-09-13T14:09:27.412+01:00Great post, Cee! I think you have provided a reall...Great post, Cee! I think you have provided a really great discussion here. <br /><br />I would consider myself an eco activist. I try to reduce plastic consumption when I can and I vote for politicians who have good environment policies. Admittedly, and I am not proud of this, when the whole banning plastic straws became a thing, I got super happy, thinking that this was the only way to save the turtles. I couldn’t imagine why anyone would disagree with it. <br /><br />I think my POV was a lot like the kids pushing to get rid of the plastic toys. I was from a privileged position, not knowing that there are disabled people who would not benefit from paper straws, or no straws at all. I saw how my grandfather at restaurants would get frustrated with there not being straws because his hands are obviously weaker and he didn’t want to spill on himself. It was then that I realized that banning plastic straws when there are still large corporations that are going to dump plastic into the oceans anyways, is not worth it when it alienates people who need them. <br /><br />I do think it is important for us to make conscious decisions for ourselves on how to reduce plastic consumption. But as our decisions will be tailored for our personal needs, we cannot enforce a one size fits all solution onto everyone. I do think that the children who pushed for this should be educated on privilege. I love how they are trying to make a change for the world, but it needs to be done in a way that doesn’t harm other children. <br /><br />I do like the idea of McDonalds giving away books. Yay for literacy! But sometimes a book can not replace a toy that will bring a child joy. I think there needs to be a better balance. paperbackprincesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07446601964387517150noreply@blogger.com