MEMBER NEWS

CLIMATE DICE ROLLS A SIX AT EDEN PROJECT

Climate Dice, the storytelling dice game that supports all 17 of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, has landed an extensive retail presence across all Eden Project gift shops.

A “milestone” moment for the manufacturer, Mind Your Footprint, the game is now enjoying exposure to the more than one million visitors Eden Project counts each year.

Developed by Pendar Vatanian, Climate Dice educates children about climate change through empowerment and storytelling. It aims to alleviate climate anxiety by allowing kids to envisage a better world.

Climate Dice had been building an audience through local Climate Emergency Centres such as Zero Carbon Guildford.

“Becoming an Eden Project supplier was like passing a milestone. Not only are they the symbol of sustainability but their supplier evaluation is the most comprehensive I have ever seen,” said Pendar.

“Getting an approval is like a verification of a sustainable business model, which to me is more valuable than selling dice to them. But their more than one million visitors a year certainly makes them an attractive partner.”

For every set of Climate Dice sold, Mind Your Footprint donates a set to schools in remote areas of the Global South. So far, Climate Dice has secured partners in Africa, India, Brazil, Peru and has seen a successful first batch land in Nigeria.

“We have seen how beautifully they are being used at local schools and community events to empower children,” said Pendar. “It’s better than we’d ever imagined.”

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CAROUSEL CALENDARS GOES WILD IN ‘SECRET GARDEN’ PROJECT

Carousel Calendars is rolling up its sleeves for the environment with the launch of a new project to turn an abandoned wasteland at its Exeter offices into a haven for wildlife.

Not content with already aligning itself with the Science Based Targets initiative to put it on the 1.5ºC pathway, the calendar and greetings specialist has turned its attention to staff wellbeing, company culture, and environmental regeneration to transform its patch of forgotten land into a site for the local flora and fauna.

“The Staff-Wildlife Haven will become a paradise for our staff to immerse themselves in nature,” said Andy Ellis, facilities and health and safety manager at Carousel’s parent company, Zebra MTD. “Our vision is to have an easily accessible place – made by us – where diverse wildlife can thrive.”

The Haven will be divided into different areas, providing different types of habitat including dense native shrubland, a wild orchard, a naturally populated pond, a wildflower meadow, and an undulating scrubland, before joining a bridge over the stream that provides staff access to a woodland with seating areas.

With staff volunteering their time to the project, Phase One of the transformation is now complete, with paths laid, a bridge under construction, and the pond mapped out and dug.

“This is our secret garden,” said Andy. “We’re going to build a Buggingham Palace and get the kids involved in smaller parts of the project.

“At Carousel Calendars, Otterhouse, and Calendar Club we have set ourselves principles, and all those principles are around species preservation, using recyclable materials, and having a low carbon footprint. Our Staff-Wildlife Haven is about helping our staff engage with nature and appreciate the environment.”

THE RSPB NURTURES NATURE WITH PLAY PRESS TOYS

The UK’s wildlife conservation charity, the RSPB has teamed with Play Press Toys to develop and launch a new collection of wildlife themed construction sets that will educate children on the importance of protecting the environment.

The toy line – scheduled to launch in 2023 – will tap into the charity’s current Nature on Your Doorstep campaign and its aim to connect people to the wildlife around them. Sets in the range will focus on different habitats and share information on the species living there.

“We have been in discussions with Play Press Toys for a while now as we love their values of explorative, creative play, and saw real opportunity to engage children with nature,” said Louisa Skevington, product licensing manager at RSPB.

“Sustainability is a priority when taking on new partners and Play Press is an ideal one – the use of FSC paper and card, vegetable-based inks, and minimising air miles through UK production reflect the RSPB’s responsible sourcing strategy.”

The new range will complement Play Press Toys’ growing animal-themed collection of play-sets, with plans to showcase at London’s Top Drawer and Spring Fair next year.

The RSPB has earmarked the toy market as an important channel for its licensing division, playing a key role in driving education of the natural world and the important work the charity does to protect it among younger audiences.

“Our licensing programme is a valuable means of generating awareness and funds for the RSPB,” said Louisa. “Royalties generated by sales are donated to RSPB Sales Ltd, which gives all its distributable profits through gift aid to the RSPB.

“In this way, our licensing campaign contributes to our work to protect habitats, save species, and help end the nature and climate emergency.”

RUBIES LAUNCHES RUBIES ZERO AS IT TARGETS CARBON NEUTRAL AMBITIONS

Rubies has launched a new initiative that aims to protect the environment through conscious products and drive its ambitions to be carbon neutral. Called Rubies Zero, the plan will help the dress-up and costumes expert evolve business “towards becoming fully climate conscious.”

“We firmly believe that being a hero is also preserving our planet,” said Rubies’ licensing manager EMEA, Aurélie Waklawski. “There is a real climate crisis and we all need to take responsibility to make a difference.

“As the world’s largest designer, distributor, and manufacturer of costumes and accessories, we need to lead the industry by example and use our position as a fancy-dress powerhouse for positive changes.”

Among the measures Rubies has taken to date is its Green Collection, a machine washable range of dress-up items featuring its biggest licences, all created using recycled plastic. The company is also promoting circular principles in its charity partnerships to promote pre-loved and stock donation.

Rubies is also looking into launching take-back programmes with its retail partners in 2023.

“We are working on educating the business and further reducing our carbon footprint,” said Aurélie. “We have already started by opening a new design centre in the UK which will save samples being sent back and forth from Asia. We are also working on ways to reduce plastic and air packaging during shipment.

“We will carry on looking at ways to reduce the impact of costume manufacturing at the same time as growing our Green Collection,” she added.

INSET: The POC Sports Workstream meets with the NFLPA’s Steve Scebelo (pictured centre)

PRODUCTS OF CHANGE SCORES US SPORTS AMBASSADOR TOUCHDOWN WITH NFLPA

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) has set up its own Green Team to help drive the operation’s sustainability strategy; its first step towards implementing positive development across the company.

Its formation coincides with the appointment of The NFLPA’s president, Steven Scebelo, to the role of US Sports Ambassador for Products of Change. Steven will use the Association’s position of influence to encourage sustainable development within the US sports licensing sector.

It’s a similar role NFLPA sees itself playing to take sustainability to audiences across the world. The business wants to harness the power of sport and the reach of its athletes to act as ambassadors for sustainable development and environmental ambitions.

“Our players enjoy a position of influence. Pairing that with causes they have genuine affinity with is a great way to take this conversation far and wide,” said Steven.

“I’m pleased to join the POC community as US Sports Ambassador and look forward to helping drive sustainable development across the licensed sports consumer goods sector here in the US.

“Meanwhile, our Green Team will drive those efforts here at the NFLPA as we learn and develop along this journey together.” DREAMTEX EARTH PAVES PATH FOR NET POSITIVE BUSINESS

Dreamtex has set its sights on Net Positive as it continues to drive sustainable change across the business through its Dreamtex Earth strategy.

Latest steps along the team’s sustainability journey include its work towards the ISO 140001 Environmental Management Certification and a full carbon footprint review across the business.

Under its Dreamtex Earth strategy, the character bedding specialist has extended its popular BCI-sourced collection with exclusive Bluey designs, as well as other key licences it plans to release next year.

The company has already taken steps to reduce its plastic packaging and introduce FSC cardboard.

Jo Duckworth, said: “We can’t wait to reveal our new sustainable lines for 2023. We have been working closely with retailers to develop a BCIsourced Bluey collection for Next and a range of coverless duvets with recycled filling for various brands.

“Sustainability is a key pillar in our company mission and we will continue to grow these lines going forward. We continue to challenge our sustainability strategy every day and are passionate about paving the way for sustainability in licensed home textiles.

“We will continue to work towards a greener future like many of our colleagues in the licensing industry are doing, too.“

COMPANY CULTURE RULES AT CREATIVE AGENCY NOSY

The creative agency, NOSY has introduced a new company discipline to only work with clients that positively impact the environment or are, at the very least, on their sustainable development journey.

Now positioned as an ‘eco- conscious agency’, and having spent nine months restructuring its portfolio, the Isle of Wight business has extended its sustainability strategy to encompass the clients it works with.

At the beginning of the year, NOSY joined the Green Impact Scheme and appointed its first virtual chief sustainability officer, James George, POC’s circular economy ambassador. Changes have also filtered down through the company culture and paid volunteer days have been added to all staff contracts.

“When it comes to ‘walking the walk’,

we aim to inspire the community and other businesses,” said Matt Greg, ceo and strategist at NOSY, pictured left. “In 2022, NOSY organised four ‘Rubbish Networking’ events (litter picking around the Isle of Wight), became a Climate Friendly Workforce through Ecologi, sponsored a beehive at Banbury Bees, and signed up for the Cycle2Work scheme.

“All this came from the team because we encourage them to make decisions on how NOSY could become more sustainable. The hive-mind approach really matters.”

Last year saw NOSY establish 18 new client relationships, 14 of which with businesses that positively contribute towards the environment, from retro-fit and green non-profits, to solar farm development and wildlife conservation.

PARAMOUNT LAUNCHES SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS OPERATION SEA CHANGE TO TURN THE TIDE ON OCEAN PLASTICS

Paramount Consumer Products and Nickelodeon have launched SpongeBob SquarePants: Operation Sea Change, a new global ocean conservation and sustainability initiative that aims to remove and divert five million pounds of ocean plastic over the next four years.

The campaign will fund clean-up projects around the world through partnerships with several non-profit organisations, including Surfers Against Sewage, Plastic Oceans International, the Coral Restoration Foundation, and WORK.

At the same time, Paramount will work with current SpongeBob SquarePants consumer products partners to drive more sustainable practices and reduce single-use plastic in products. It will also curate partnerships with new brands to create innovative product lines.

Additionally, the initiative will engage millions of SpongeBob fans the world over with on-the-ground events and educational resources.

“With this initiative, not only are we funding change but reinventing how we do business by creating a connected global effort around sustainability, while also being afforded the opportunity to honour the legacy of the incomparable Stephen Hillenburg, marine biologist and SpongeBob SquarePants creator, who was so deeply committed to preserving our oceans and marine life,” said Veronica Hart, executive vice president, global franchise planning, Paramount Consumer Products.

New consumer products partners launching in support of the Operation Sea Change campaign this year and next, include AKUA and its kelp patty featured in reduced plastic packaging, Conscious Step which will launch branded apparel with a portion of proceeds donated to Oceana, a non-profit ocean conservation organisation, and Waterlust, a purpose-driven apparel company that uses clothing to educate, inspire, and support consumers in living more environmentally responsible lives.

Next year, SpongeBob SquarePants Operation Sea Change will expand to include new patnerships and products, additional short-form content to educate fans on the ocean plastic crisis, and on-the-ground cleanups and activations that will allow fans to get involved. working on ways to reduce plastic and air packaging during shipment.

“We will carry on looking at ways to reduce the impact of costume manufacturing at the same time as growing our Green Collection,” she added.

MATTEL TAKES GOLD AT PLAY FOR CHANGE AWARDS FOR MATCHBOX SUSTAINABILITY

Mattel took home the Gold Award in Sustainability at this year’s Play for Change Awards for its Matchbox ‘Drive Towards a Better Future’ campaign to engage kids in greener practices.

Created by Toy Industries of Europe, the Play for Change Awards aims to celebrate the toys and companies that are actively changing the face of play and helping children prepare for a positive future.

Mattel’s ‘Drive Towards a Better Future’ campaign impressed the Awards’ independent juries with its roadmap to make all Matchbox die-cast cars, play-sets, and packaging with 100% recycled, recyclable, or biobased plastic by 2030.

Last year, Mattel unveiled its Matchbox Tesla Roadster, its first die-cast vehicle to be made from 99% recycled materials, including zinc, steel, and plastic. The Tesla Roadster launched this year and has been certified carbon neutral.

Elizabeth Eaves, senior sustainability engineer at Mattel EMEA, was at the ceremony to collect the Gold Award in the Sustainability category.

“It’s an amazing feeling for the Matchbox Driving Towards a Better Future initiative to be recognised, as this is a project that brings together so many different aspects of Mattel’s sustainability journey and ambitions in one place,” she told Products of Change.

“We’re incredibly proud to have been honoured with this Gold Sustainability award by TIE, and this reinforces how important it is to keep working on projects like this that will have a big impact on our children’s future.” POC POWERS UP SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA AT GOOD PLAY GUIDE

The independent children’s product review site, Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide is bringing sustainability criteria into its fold with the help of the experts at Products of Change.

Toys featured in the Good Play Guide will have their sustainability criteria highlighted and will receive the opportunity to be showcased in a new feature on the POC website.

Brands submitting for review will be asked to verify relevant key environmental information around materials and packaging. The process will also consider an environmental cost per play. Environmental themes within the play patterns of a product will also be noted and will be the only criteria relevant to apps and video games.

There are currently four ‘Good Guides’ within the GoodPlayGuide.com - the Good Toy Guide, Good App Guide, Good Baby Guide and Good Learning Guide. For physical products, features such as the returns and spare parts policy, reparability, and end-of-product lifecycle facilities will also be considered and reported within the reviews on the site. This will give consumers access to the information they are increasingly demanding to be able to make informed decisions.

Dr Amanda Gummer said: “While the sustainability criteria are not going to be formally assessed and won’t cause a product to fail a GPG review, being able to give additional exposure to those companies who are doing the right thing by our planet and our future generations feels like the right thing to do.

“We are grateful to the experts at POC for helping us develop this framework, providing even more benefit to the users of the Good Play Guide and added value to the brands that submit their products for review.”