TTPM - Eco-Friendly Enthusiasm!

By Jack Placidi

In terms of planet-friendly practices, most of us grew up learning the virtue of recycling, and not much else. However, in recent years, the toy industry as a whole has stepped up to teach and encourage eco-sustainable living and products through example. ere has been a major push to cover a lot more aspects of eco-friendliness that go far beyond mere recycling. Along with the teachings, companies are adapting changes into their production process, and encouraging this boost of consciousness to the industry as a whole. In the past few years, there have been some stand out examples that I feel deserve mention and praise; they’re examples of what we can all strive for in the new year and beyond.

From Plastic to Play

One of my favorite ways that companies have been tackling the issue of plastic is turning it into toys! e most adorable example I’ve seen recently is from the company Shore Buddies, whose mission it is to “bring Sustainability into Play, to keep Plastics out of the Oceans.” Every one of their plushes is made from six plastic bottles. e bottles are turned into a cute animal that is super so and simultaneously teaches kids the importance of recycling, and keeping trash out of the ocean.

Another product that has transcended from plastic to play is the Monsterkins line of plush from Wild Republic. Each of these cute monster plush are also made from recycled plastic materials, and the monsters themselves have backstories where they feed on plastic bottles and can digest them within two hours. Even though in reality it takes almost ve hundred years for plastic bottles to decompose, these toys can be a nice accompaniment to teach kids the importance of recycling plastic bottles, and encourage them to do so at their household.

Eco-Education

While many companies are tackling the physical strategies of conservation with plushes and cute creatures made from recycled materials, one company in particular has stood out to me in making sure kids are taught the practical skills of being environmentally conscious through the lens of fun games. Enter Adventerra Games! rough their games like Hungry Bins, PowerHaus, Recycle Rally, and Global Warning, they make children aware of environmental issues through fun gameplay and teach about waste reduction, recycling, renewable energy, and climate change.

Packaging Perfection

Whether it’s from the display window for an action gure, or the endless plastic found in unboxing toys, much of modern toy packing uses a lot of plastic that o en nds itself in the garbage, rather than the recycling bin. Companies are nding ways to circumvent this and create recycling-friendly packaging in the coming years. Hasbro has been keen on eliminating all plastic from new, single-use product packaging by 2023. While the results of this have drawn mixed reactions, the overall bene ts of reducing waste with a windowless gure package, and encouraging more creative package art is far and above worth it.

Mattel has also jumped on board with eco-friendly packaging, with a commitment to recycled paper packaging found on MEGA Bloks, certain Barbie dolls, and Matchbox vehicles.

Only time will tell the impact that these decisions have in the long run for protecting our planet, but in an industry that is highly in uential to the growth of children, it’s important to lead by example. With e orts being made by companies both large and small, I’m optimistic that the toy industry will continue to be a leading source of sustainable production methods, and help cra an eco-friendly mindset in generations of children moving forward.

Jack Placidi is the creative director at TTPM, whose expertise includes years of video content creation and promotion for various toy companies and in uencers. For more info, email at jack@ttpm. com.