...from bargain shoppers like me
Apparently, starting in February of 2009, it will be illegal for thrift stores to sell used children's clothing and toys without first getting them tested for lead. (Click here for full story). Many stores say the cost of testing will be so high--that they will just abandon the sale of these items in favor of sending them to the landfill.
Uggh.
The purpose of this legislation was really so that all new products be tested. But instead of wording it as all those produced after February 2009, they said all items sold after February 2009.
Now I'm all for protecting children--but really is this the best way to go about it? I would like to know if they did any scientific sampling of thrift store kids' collections and discovered just how much of the inventory contained lead. I'm not anti-regulation, but at some point, parent's will have to decide for themselves whether an item will hurt their child or not.
We have a store here in Flagstaff, Zen Baby (sadly, I found out recently that they are selling the business). Its an awesome store. Everything inside is organic and/or earth friendly (toys made from recycled plastics or bamboo). It's nice to go into a store and not have to scrutinize a label. BUT I do not have children. I can afford to shop there for the odd gift for a friend--shopping there all the time is certainly cost-prohibitive. And think about all those items. Maybe a kid wears an organic onesy a few times until he grows too big. Doesn't it make sense for that item to go to another child?
1 comment:
All I can think of is the lower income families who depend upon such thrift stores to provide toys and clothes for their children. Its sad to know that they might/probably will lose that option.
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