Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on August 2009

Electronic toys without batteries… surely it’s a wind-up? Well, yes, actually it is. Ecotronic’s environmentally friendly clockwork toys are a brilliant alternative to buying cheap electronic goods. And unlike their battery-hungry counterparts—which are likely to clog up landfills for centuries to come—these babies are biodegradable. There are six different brightly colored toys available, suitable for ages 1 and over. We like the Robot Head, a game where players must pass a hoop around some metal loops without making contact. If you do, the robot’s eyes light up and he makes a loud buzzing sound. Other models include a rocket, light and microphone.
Robot Head, ¥6,500. Available from major department and toy stores. http://ecotronic.jp