A comparative and exploratory study of toy products in the circular economy
Watkins, Matthew Alan; Mestre, Ana
This paper concerns relatively unexplored research concerning the environmental impact of
children’s toys. This segment represents a challenge in the circular economy, a priority area
concerned with the EU´s ambition of drastically reducing the use of petroleum-based plastics in
Europe, along with the optimisation of waste as valuable resources for design. The paper discusses
the methodological approaches used in an ongoing explorative study analysis of sixteen toy product
cases through empirical research concerning the life cycle impact, and specifically, the end of life
implications of children’s toys, focusing on eight distinct toy categories spanning an age range of six
months to eight years old. A mixed methods approach was used, with three distinct stages: Individual
component level life cycle analysis, the use of Circular Product Design assessment and improvement
tools, and semi-structured interviews of three key stakeholders to evaluate the toys, complemented by
the analysis of the economic depreciation of the toy’s value. Following this analysis, designers sought
to improve the circularity of the products using one of four circular product design approaches,
designing for: “slowing the loop”, “closing the loop”, “bio-based loop” or “bio-inspired loop” (Mestre &
Cooper, 2017). The preliminary findings of the research show that higher value branded items
significantly outperformed their less expensive counterparts in both the LCA and stakeholder
research, due to higher value and their recognition in the second hand market leading to 2nd or 3rd
lives, slowing the loop. Opportunities for improvement were identified to further improve toy circularity
and close the loops through enhanced product attachment and circular business opportunities.
Opportunities for bio-based solutions were also identified for lower value products, linking lower cost
and shorter intended life to bio-based solutions, particularly in the craft and outdoor toys examples.
Is Part Of
Published in: PLATE – Product lifetimes and the environment : 3rd PLATE Conference, September 18–20, 2019 Berlin, Germany, Universitätsverlag der TU Berlin
Published by ISBN 978-3-7983-3125-9
