In the near future, I plan to introduce companion legislation to Senate Bill 756, introduced by Senators Robinson, Kane, and Haywood, which would amend the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act to allow for the use of recycled material.
 
The Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act was passed in 1961 and did not contemplate the use of recycled material in stuffed toys. As manufacturing processes have evolved and consumer preferences have changed, the use of recycled materials in stuffed toys has become more prevalent. Many manufacturers and retailers have set sustainability goals for their products which can only be met by using recycled materials. Additionally, many consumers prefer to purchase items made from recycled materials to lessen their environmental footprint.
 
Using recycled materials in products is safe for consumers. Recycled materials that are currently used in stuffed toys go through the same extensive testing and safety review, and meet all current industry standards as toys with new materials.
 
Amending the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act will bring Pennsylvania in line with all other global stuffed toy requirements, enabling manufacturers and retailers to make and sell stuffed toys with recycled materials in our state, as they do throughout the rest of the country.
 
Please join me in co-sponsoring this commonsense legislation to modernize the Stuffed Toy Manufacturing Act.

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 1476: P.L.857, No.372
Printer's No. 1721: P.L.857, No.372
Printer's No. 3295: P.L.857, No.372