Learn how to buy eco-conscious toys

The public is invited to Green Drinks McHenry County from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N. Main St. in Crystal Lake. Head upstairs at Duke's for info and inspiration, business and pleasure. Come talk about “greening” the future with others. Must be 21 to purchase alcohol. Nonalcoholic drinks are available, of course.

This month's topic is “Toys That are Future Friendly and Kind to the Environment.” Lori McConville, owner of Marvin's Toy Store in downtown Crystal Lake, will be speaking about how she chooses toys for her store that meet expectations for being sensitive to the earth and friendly to the future. That means looking for a product that is both environmentally and socially responsible. It's about being conscious about the life-cycle of the toy and striving to have the whole supply chain engaged in environmentally sustainable practices.

Buying a toy for a child is a special purchase. It's important to know that the toy meets safety standards and that the quality is there both in materials and in the play that it provides. Beyond that, there are other layers to look at that affect the earth and people, such as packaging, shipping, production, etc.

Find out about the criteria used to select toys for an eco-conscious store and learn about the questions Lori asks when deciding to sell an item. You will get a chance to check out some toys, and you will be asked to make some decisions yourself. Find out how easy or difficult it can be to make smart decisions about the toys our children play with.

There will be an information table set up, and you are welcome to bring information about your green products and services each month to share. Additional parking is available at the train station. To be added to their email list, send a note to: GreenDrinksMC@gmail.com or “like” the group on Facebook at www.FaceBook.com/GreenDrinksMcHenryCounty.