I am not a huge fan of box stores, but I am even less of a fan of the idea that my kids could cuddle up with a stuffed animal that has a ton of chemicals that I probably would stutter pronouncing.  This is something I contemplated recently when a very kind nurse offered me a stuffed animal for my daughter when she was in the hospital.  Especially when a kid has a respiratory infection, the last thing I would want to do is expose their delicate lungs to chemicals from an innocent looking teddy bear.  But there is some good news for those of us strapped for cash during these tough economic times that do not want to sacrifice our children’s health.

Target has started carrying My Natural, a collection of 100% non-toxic stuffed animals produced by miYim.  These stuffed animals are great for a number of reasons:

• There are a variety of sizes, colors, and different animals available.
• The packaging has no plastic and consists of recycled materials.
• All miYim products are made from organic cotton, produced without harsh chemicals, and the dyes, derived from plants and minerals, are applied through their trademark PureWaterWash technique.  For more information visit their page defining organic.
• Their stuffed animals are produced using “low-eco impact manufacturing” during which they purify waste-water from their manufacture process before releasing it into the environment.  Despite the fact that their facility is located in Shanghai, which increases these adorable plushies carbon footprint, their commitment to producing more eco-friendly stuffed animals make these a more environmentally-friendly purchase than the conventional stuffed animal, which are also normally produced in China.
• MiYim is committed to following “the highest International labor standards and treat each employee with respect and fairness.

With a price tag of 14.99 or under the My Natural is easily within the price range if you are looking for an organic replacement to the regular stuffed animal.  I appreciate when the big box stores try to offer more eco-logically minded products and I hope it gives people, who normally would avoid purchasing organic because of the price, a chance to experience the benefits of eco-friendly products.

I know that I feel a lot more comfortable seeing my daughter clutching her miYim bunny than other stuffed animals.  For other ideas on organic stuffed animals, check out the ECP articles on Aurora Naturally and Maggie’s Organic Sock Monkeys.  I also highly suggest reading Jennifer Lance’s article on How to Clean Toys Naturally, so that you can keep these wonderful toys spick-and-span.

Image Credit: cevbindner on Flickr under Creative Commons license