It has been announced this month that the major toy manufacturer Mattel, owner of Barbie, has dropped all its packaging manufacturers known to be associated with deforestation. With the environment becoming a more prevalent issue within society, the packaging industry is starting to feel the increased pressure to manufacture products using materials from sustainable sources. For some this may just be a PR stunt to highlight that their company is socially responsible and make them more appealing to the end consumer, however, for others it is becoming the only way forward.
Major brands such as Marks & Spencer and Velvet base their advertising around this, proving to customers that they are making significant changes to help protect the environment and this month Mattel has made their feelings clear. As part of a new set of promises, Mattel had stated that they will no longer be purchasing materials from companies who are known to be associated with destroying the world’s rainforests.
This move has come after a global campaign from Greenpeace highlighted certain companies such as Asia Pulp and Paper group (APP) who provide materials to Mattel, to be associated with destroying vast areas of the rainforest. This is obviously a great achievement for Greenpeace and they are hoping that this will be the first in a line of companies who will start to understand the importance of the environment.
It is predicted that this kind of statement from Mattel will push suppliers into finding greener solutions for providing materials. App’s sister company, Golden Agri-Resources, lost a number of their larger clients when they were associated with deforestation but have since proved they are now protecting the environment and won many of those back.
It is also hoped this move will put additional pressure on other toy manufacturers such as Hasbro to do the same and highlight their feelings towards deforestation.
Wessex Packaging are a leading packaging manufacturer who care about the environment and offer cardboard and packaging solutions which are biodegradable. If you are looking for environmentally friendly packaging solutions whether it is foam packaging, die cut cartons or custom packaging boxes, contact the experts at Wessex Packaging today!
