Hasbro to ‘eliminate’ plastics from new product packaging by 2022

Image Gage Skidmore [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]

Between 2020 and 2022, Hasbro will phase out plastics from new product packaging, including polybags, shrink wrap, window sheets and elastic bands.

“Removing plastic from our packaging is the latest advancement in our more than decade-long journey to create a more sustainable future for our business and our world,” Hasbro’s chief executive Brian Goldner said.

“We have an experienced, cross-functional team in place to manage the complexity of this undertaking and will look to actively engage employees, customers, and partners as we continue to innovate and drive progress as a leader in sustainability.”

While Hasbro’s CSR report doesn’t provide too much detail on how much plastics it recycles or reuses, the amount of non-hazardous waste that is recycled has increased from 39% in 2015 to 52% in 2017. However, both these figures are far below the 81% recorded in 2013. edie has reached out to Hasbro for clarification.

Hasbro has taken notable steps to improve the recyclability and environmental impact of its packaging in recent years. In 2013, the company replaced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used in packaging with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and post-consumer PET was introduced in 2016.

The company has also incorporated plant-based bioPET into some packaging in 2018. The company joins the likes of Waitrose and LEGO in turning to bio-based materials as an alternative to some plastic components.

TerraCycle

Hasbro is also part of a growing list of firms that are working with recycling company TerraCycle. The two firms have collaborated on a toy recycling programme that enables consumers to send used Hasbro toys and games to be recycled into materials for the construction of play spaces, flowerpots and benches amongst other uses. The programme was recently expanded to France, Germany and Brazil, with other markets being lined up.

Other businesses to have launched TerraCycle-enabled take-back schemes in recent months include Mars PetcareColgate PalmoliveKelloggAcuvueHovis and Ella’s Kitchen. More recently, razor brand Gillette launched what it claims is the UK’s first nationwide recycling scheme for razors and blades with the organisation.

TerraCycle is also working with Pepsico subsidiary Walkers to run the UK’s first nationwide collection scheme for crisp packets, which collected more than 500,000 packets between December 2018 and March 2019.

Matt Mace

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