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Are plastic toys trying to kill us?
Market Mysteries of the week
Are plastic toys trying to kill us?
Answer:
The toys might not be to blame, but
we are creating mountains of plastic each year that we can't find ways to recycle or decompose properly
. It's clogging our oceans, animals, digestive systems, and even our blood.
The toy industry is the most plastic-intensive of any
. Changing our shopping demands might limit the damage.
Why are people worried about plastic waste?
parents now identify sustainability as an essential purchase criterion for children's toys because
plastic is dangerous
. Direct exposure to
in plastic can affect brain, reproductive, and digestive systems development, and
plastic waste infests most of our ecological systems
.
We're creating a lot of plastic.
Every minute, the world purchases
and
. We produce enough bubble wrap every year to
. It's all adding up around us. As we've
,
plastic does not decompose
; it will outlast human life. Instead of decomposing, they break down into microplastics, which spread everywhere and attract toxic materials, clogging waterways and navigating into our
,
and
. Some studies estimate we
of plastic each year.
Corporations have the power to make a difference
. Just
produce 90% of all single-use plastic waste generated globally. The toy industry is the most plastic-intensive industry in the world, with
. Facing increased pressure from consumers and investors, plastic-intensive sectors are looking for solutions.
What are companies doing about the plastic problem?
Toymakers have pledged to reduce their single-use plastic production,
integrating more recycled and sustainable materials. Using sustainable materials like bamboo, wool, bioplastics, and recycled plastics helps reduce the amount of plastic that ends up in landfills.
The world's biggest toymaker, Lego, aims to make all its products from
. It's experimenting with bricks derived from Brazilian sugar cane and recycled plastic bottles, but each has durability challenges.
that its product line will be made entirely from recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials by 2030. Mattel's new Barbie Loves the Ocean doll is created from 90% recycled "ocean-bound plastic." This term describes plastic collected within 31 miles of waterways in regions without established waste-processing facilities. Its Matchbox Roadster is carbon neutral and built from 99% recycled materials.
Will it make a difference?
It all needs to happen on a bigger scale.
We need to produce less plastic and innovate in recycling.
It's unclear whether switching to different kinds of plastics will solve anything, especially if they still end up in landfills.
As
,
recycling is pretty ineffective.
Only
generated last year in the US got recycled due to the complex logistics of the process. Even if companies use more sustainable bioplastics, they may treat them with additional chemicals to increase durability, affecting their biodegradability. Those toys may still end up in the ocean or landfills.
innovations are in the works but still need to be adopted.
What can I look out for?
When it comes to sustainability, it is essential to
distinguish between genuine, impactful efforts and greenwashing.
Greenwashing is when corporations create a false or exaggerated impression of product sustainability through marketing.
Look more closely at the details of their claims.
How much of the product is made from recycled materials? What is the packaging made of?
of all plastic produced is used to create product packaging, most of which ends up in landfills.
Are their sustainable or bioplastic materials biodegradable?
While many
can be much more sustainable, derived from natural materials other than fossil fuels, they still might not be able to be broken down by nature. Many bioplastics need
to be decomposed, meaning they still mostly end up in landfills and oceans.
Are their green claims about the toy's plastic or the company's carbon emissions?
A carbon-neutral toy might sound great, but it might just mean the company purchased a financial credit representing the hypothetical protection of a forest somewhere. As
, not all emissions pledges are the same.
As consumers,
we have the power to hold companies accountable
by choosing to buy from those who sincerely try to reduce their environmental impact. The consumer goods industry is particularly susceptible to our demands. We'll keep you informed so you can make decisions that protect your future.
âš¡The Share Scoops Team
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