Sustainable Fun: Exploring Bioplastic Toys
The toy industry utilizes 40 tonnes of plastic for every $1 million in revenue and constitutes the most plastic-intensive industry.
Unfortunately, people discard 80% of toys in landfills. This issue, coupled with the growing demand for sustainable products, drives the use of bioplastic toys.
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These objects offer more than just fun; they significantly influence children’s physical, social, and cognitive development. These explain why the toy industry is a $90 billion industry. However, its environmental impact is undeniable.
Toys Industry Environmental Impact
Toys Environmental Impact. Courtesy of Sonia Sánchez
The toy industry operates similarly to fast fashion. To create profits, companies sell large quantities of products in short seasons. The problem is that higher production leads to a larger carbon footprint.
Plastic makes up approximately 90% of toys worldwide. Producing and disposing of them generates a high percentage of greenhouse gases.
Fixing Gaze on Bioplastics
Companies are actively developing sustainable strategies to address this issue. One of the solutions involves using sustainable materials, specifically recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable bioplastics. Implementing it aims to reduce the depletion of non-renewable resources, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste in landfills.
Overcoming Challenges Related to Performance and Sustainability
Several companies have begun to use new materials for toys and sustainable packaging manufacturing.
Green Dot Bioplastics: From Starch to Ice Cream Toys
Green Dot Bioplastics produces high-quality bioplastics with environmental benefits and cost-competitive alternatives to traditional thermoplastics. They utilize commercially available bioplastics (PBAT, PBS, and PLA) and their patented thermoplastic starch technology to create blends and alloys. They have excellent physical properties and compostability rates.
Currently, Green Dot has four product categories: Biocomposites (Terratek WC/SC), natural fiber reinforced (Terratek NFRP), biodegradables (Terratek BD), and elastomers (Terratek Flex).
In partnership with BeginAgain Toys, they created the Scented Scoops Ice Cream playset and Green Ring Teether. They used Terratek Flex because it is a soft plastic material free of toxic plasticizers. Also, the starch-based material was ideal for scenting and retained scents longer than traditional plastics. Moreover, it is a biodegradable material that contributes to reducing pollution.
FKuR: Filling Cuddly Toys with Bio-based Bioplastics
FKuR produces bioplastics for toy manufacturing. They offer Green PE made from sugarcane and a line of biocompounds (Terralene) made of bio-PE, bio-PP, and bio-recyclate hybrids. These are suitable for extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding. Additionally, they are 100% recyclable.
Sigikid partnered with FKuR for their “Beasts” plush toy series. In this case, the plush toy company used Green PE for stuffing. This plastic granulate, free of harmful substances, is heavier than other filling materials. Also, it does not absorb moisture, dries faster, and does not clump together. Furthermore, this material provides stability to the plush toy and allows it to bend to shape.
Finally, the toy industry must continue to seek strategies to improve sustainability. Recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable bioplastics significantly contribute to a circular economy. Companies like Green Dot Bioplastics and FKuR are innovating to develop sustainable and economically advantageous solutions.
¡Remember! A bioplastic that is not recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable does not contribute to reducing pollution.