Barbie, Ken and Lego Bricks: Plastic-Free in Ten Years, Makers Pledge

Toy manufacturers such as Mattel and Lego are vowing to switch to more sustainable plastics over the next decade, in a major effort to reduce their massive plastic footprint.

Mattel, highly known for its toys from brands such as Barbie, Fisher-Price and Hot Wheels, has pledged to replace its traditional, petroleum-based plastic with recycled or bio-based alternatives in its products and packaging by 2030. Last month, the company unveiled its first fully recyclable plant-based plastic toy from its Fisher-Price brand.

Lego is also stepping up its game, announcing last year its ten-year plan to switch to sugarcane-based or recycled plastic rather than its usual oil-based kind. Lego also recently launched a program inviting customers to send their old Lego bricks back to the company to get repackaged and donated to charities.