Laurie Hyman had a busy time at this month’s New York Toy Show, the US industry’s biggest annual event, with more than 1,200 exhibitors. Her start-up company, Green Toys, sells toy teacups, bowls and gardening tools that are made in California from recycled plastic milk containers, and sold in boxes made from recycled cardboard.

“We’re getting a lot of interest – from big retailers, from small retailers, from everyone,” she says, showing off a jar holding the white shredded plastic used to make the toys.