Resale stores stocking only lead-free toys

Salvation Army Capt. Bill Mockabee can appreciate Thomas the Train and the Weebles village and farm as much as the next guy, but when it comes to selling those items in either of the Salvation Army's Family Stores, he doesn't do it.

There are two reasons: The potential of lead in them and a federal mandate not to sell them.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission studied thrift stores nationwide in 1999 and found that 69 percent were selling products that had been recalled, banned or failed to meet safety standards.

After millions of lead-tainted toys from China were recalled in 2007, Congress enacted the sweeping and complicated Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act in August. It took effect in February and applies to thrift or consignment stores, charities, flea markets and those who sell on auction Web sites. It also applies to yard sales.

The commission also came up with a 27-page reseller's handbook. Resellers aren't required to test used products for lead and phthalates. They are supposed to educate themselves, however, about safety standards and ensure that none of their products violates those standards.

"We take these federal guidelines seriously," said Mockabee, referring to his two stores in Florence and Sheffield. "We bear responsibility, and stopping the sale of toys all together made the most sense. It was the responsible thing to do."

The Salvation Army stores have continued to sell stuffed animals and bicycles, but families are hard-pressed to find any other toys there.

And while there has been some patron concern expressed about the lack of toys, it's been a positive move overall.

"We have peace of mind, and the stores are much neater without toys constantly strewn all over," Mockabee said.

The Salvation Army decision came down from the national headquarters and it didn't take federal mandates for the changes to be made, said Mark Jones, public relations officer with the Salvation Army divisional headquarters.

"When the scare came out of China (in 2007), we stopped taking those items but continued to take stuffed animals and bicycles," he said. "The safety of our employees and clients was the most important thing. We're trying to stay true to our mission of helping people, not (potentially) hurting them."

So, every Salvation Army store pulled all toys from the shelves and disposed of them. It was a time-intensive process as many were sent back for recall and others were sent to toxic waste disposal locations.

Today there are warnings posted in stores, including in the three Shoals locations, reminding people to double-check items.

During recent years, companies such as Mattel and Fisher-Price have recalled numerous toys because of excessive concentrations of lead. When items come in to resellers like the Christ Chapel-backed Loaves and Fishes thrift stores, workers spend hours in sorting the merchandise.

"The new regulations have definitely forced us to take more time in the sorting process and it has actually cost us money because we're having to dispose of so much more now that we have to pay to take such volume to the dump," said Kisha Cobb, director of social services for Loaves and Fishes.

The stores are located throughout Colbert and Lauderdale counties and according to Cobb, there's a coordinated effort among managers at all the stores to watch for items that may contain lead.

"We have a few toys, about 98 percent of them stuffed animals," she said.

"There's an occasional Barbie doll. We ask people if they have anything they consider of value, including toys, to wait until the store is open to bring it. If an item is questionable, people just shouldn't bring it."

Lisa Singleton-Rickman can be reached at 740-5735 or at lisa.singleton-rickman@TimesDaily.com.