Mattel Launches Its First Carbon-Neutral Toys, Plus A 99% Recycled Model
By Mikelle Leow, 11 Apr 2022
Image via Mattel Creations
Mattel, the poster kid of plastic toys, has been shaking off this less-friendly association over the past years and now hopes to use 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials across products by 2030. The toymaker’s latest launch is a significant step—it involves its first-ever carbon-neutral toys, as well as a Matchbox Tesla replica designed with 99% recycled materials.
Starting kids young on protecting our planet, Mattel has released a toy collection about living sustainably for ages one and up. The MEGA BLOKS Green Town range, it says, is also “the first-ever toy line available at mass retail to be certified CarbonNeutral.” In a timely fashion, these have been made available in the spirit of Earth Month.
Image via MEGA / Amazon
Four new sets, including the ‘Build & Learn Eco House’ and the ‘Grow & Protect Farm’, use play to teach the little ones green behaviors like sorting waste, selecting renewable energy sources, using electric transport, and protecting the honey bee population.
Images via MEGA / Amazon
In place of fossil fuel-based plastics, the bulk of their materials comes from plant-based sources (at least 56% per playset) and a minimum of 26% internationally-certified bio-circular plastics.
For the Green Town series to be carbon-neutral, Mattel purchased carbon offsets from the Darkwood Forests Conservation project in Canada, which watches over 156,000 acres of forest in British Columbia. Meanwhile, its recyclable packaging swaps out plastics for 100% Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper or paperboard, with artwork printed in soy-based inks and water-based varnishes.
Older collectors with a love of Earth would appreciate that Mattel has released its first die-cast model constructed from 99% recycled materials in the form of a Matchbox Tesla Roadster. Aside from faithfully taking on characteristics like a pearly white exterior and intricate front and rear details, the model is built with recycled zinc and recycled plastic, with the 1% coming from stainless steel.
Image via Mattel Creations
Image via Mattel Creations
The toy Tesla is boxed in a PaperFoam tray that can be composted at home, and then wrapped in FSC-certified paper packaging.
Image via Mattel Creations
Image via Mattel Creations
Although the model has unfortunately sold out, Mattel says the Matchbox Tesla Roadster will lead the way for a whole fleet of electric vehicle models it plans to roll out. Stay tuned for miniature versions of eco-friendly BMW, Nissan, and Honda vehicles, among others.
“At Mattel, we are focused on developing innovative products and packaging that are better for our planet by integrating more sustainable materials and principles of product stewardship and circular design,” shares Pamela Gill-Alabaster, Head of Global Sustainability at Mattel. “These new products from MEGA and Matchbox demonstrate our commitment to our 2030 goal to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials in all our products and packaging and to create a more sustainable future for the next generation.”
[via Good News Network, CNN, Mattel, images via Mattel]