American multinational toy and board game company Hasbro has decided to use bio-based plastic packaging material, as part of its sustainable packaging efforts.
The company said that it will use plant-based bio-polyethylene terephthalate (PET) for blister packs and plastic windows in its product packaging starting from the next year.
Hasbro eliminated wire ties in 2010, and replaced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with PET in 2013.
The firm said that it also achieved 90% recycled or sustainably-sourced paper for packaging and in-box content in 2015, and shifted from PET to post-consumer recycled (rPET) in 2016
Hasbro ha also announced plans to use bioPET plastic made with 30% plant-based material derived from agricultural by-products.
The move will help the company to enhance the sustainability packaging efforts and develop packaging without depending on non-renewable resources.
Bioplastics are plastics produced from renewable biomass sources such as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch or microbiota.
It can also be derived from agricultural by-products, as well as other containers using microorganisms. These can be used for disposable items, such as packaging, crockery, cutlery, pots, bowls, and straws
Generally, bioplastics derived from sugar derivatives such as starch, cellulose, lactic acid.
Hasbro global government, regulatory affairs and corporate social responsibility senior vice president Kathrin Belliveau said: “At Hasbro, we take pride in designing for the environment and believe that every package makes a difference.
“We’re proud of the strides we’ve made to advance the sustainability of our packaging and we know our consumers care deeply about this.
“We see every day as a chance to do better, and through actions like this, we are developing a more sustainable business and reducing our environmental impact.”
Hasbro is the largest toy maker in the world in terms of stock market value, and third largest with revenues of around $4.45bn.
The company’s brands include Nerf, Transformers, Play-Doh, Monoploy, Baby Alive and My Liitle Pony.
