Green Board Games Interview

Tony Kvale is the owner of Kvale Good Natured Games.

Everywhere you go, people are talking about living a "greener" lifestyle and being more kind to our environment. One of the most important ways that we can save our planet is to recycle the everyday items we use every day. Purchasing recycled products can save money and preserve our world. Tony Kvale is the owner of Kvale Good Natured Games, LLC, a company that makes "green" board games. Tony took the time to talk to LoveToKnowBoardGames about his product and the importance of "living green."

Why should consumers consider purchasing green board games?

Shoppers are drawn to our games because they see value in sustainable choices. This may be a decision based on emotion, or sometimes on cerebral interpretations of established facts.

There are many opinions out there about climate change and humankind's influence. I believe a consumer will look at quantitative impacts in using recycled material compared to virgin components, and these statistics make the choice much easier. Market studies have shown that people will choose to pay slightly more for a product made from recycled materials. If one game has saved 9,000 trees, 23 million gallons of water and prevents 44 tons of greenhouse gases, and costs $3 more than a similar game that made no effort in conservation, the choice becomes easy for many people.

What are the differences between green board games and typical games?

I believe that eliminating the use of plastics is one aspect due to its extreme challenges or impossibilities in biodegrading, not to mention the need for crude oil in its production. However, it is my professional opinion that recycled paper is the most significant area of improvement that can be made swiftly across so many existing brands. The costs of recycled paper continue to drop based on demand, while the quality is often exceptional and without loss. There are many additional levels our company has taken to reduce its carbon footprint, especially including operational aspects.

I think it is also important to recognize "greenwashing" versus established methods of conservation. Conservation means to reduce the use of materials. Some people already understand that simply replanting trees does not change our consumption habits, let alone does this have as significant of an effect as the reduce/reuse/recycle model.

What are some of the green board games that your company makes?

Our best-seller over the last two years is the Head1Liners game. This is a unique reflection on consumer trends because the game itself is not an environmental or nature theme at all. Instead, Head1Liners is a fun and creative party game for mainstream audiences that happens to be made with sustainable methods and materials.

Do you have any other information or advice you'd like to offer our readers?

I was called a "treehugger" a few years ago and had not considered that term to describe myself. Sustainable production is common sense to me, as much as preventing pollution. There are, and will surely always be, areas for environmental improvement in our company and my personal life.

We're hearing from a lot of game enthusiasts that thank us for making the games in the US. This is important to some people because of more verifiable fair labor or environmental standards. Other folks like this because it supports local businesses in this challenging economic time. Our company loves that we are able to employ local printers, assemblers and manufacturers of game components.

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Green Board Games Interview