Providing sustainable play

Photos courtesy of Learning Resources

Toy companies increasingly are embracing the use of recycled content in their products.

Most notably, Lego announced in late August its plan to replace fossil fuels used in making its signature bricks with more recycled plastic, and fellow toy giants Mattel and Hasbro have introduced recycled content in some of their products in an effort to address plastic pollution as well as customers’ sustainability concerns. Spin Master, the maker of the Rubik’s Cube, even has created a version of its iconic puzzle toy that features 100 percent-recycled plastic.

Now, Learning Resources, a Vernon Hills, Illinois-based maker of educational toys, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with the introduction of a new line of educational toys made with recycled plastic.

“This product line marks a significant milestone in our journey as a commitment to sustainability has been intrinsic to our brand for the last 40 years and will remain a priority for years to come,” the company said at the time of the announcement.

According to Sari Winick, chief marketing officer at Learning Resources, the company aims to continue incorporating recycled materials into its toys and other products. She notes that more “eco-friendly” options also are in the works for 2025.

The company says it embraces sustainability across the rest of its operations, too—including among its nine partner organizations.

“As we continue to develop and manufacture new products, we make sure to limit single-use materials as much as possible throughout the process,” says Jessica Jama of hand2mind, which partners with Learning Resources to make classroom products. “If single-use material is needed, we will use a single-use option that can be recycled, such as paper bags versus plastic bags. Additionally, we no longer seal boxes with plastic wrap and instead use tape as another way to reduce waste within our product life cycle.”

“When creating products packaged in blister packs, we are consistently sourcing vendors who offer the use of recycled plastic for the plastic blister,” says Michael Sheridan of Learning Resources partner Educational Insights. “If we must use plastic in a product’s packaging, we will work to ensure the plastic used can be recycled or is made from recycled materials already. For example, Numberblocks ensures that all its Figure Packs are packaged using recycled blister packs, while Educational Insights utilizes recycled PET [polyethylene terephthalate] blisters on all Playfoam product packaging.”

In the following interview, Winick discusses Learning Resources’ recycling efforts, how sustainability plays a role across its operations and how toy companies can better embrace the use of recycled materials.

Q: What is your company’s history with recycling and sustainability and when did it start implementing those efforts?

A: An important consumer definition of sustainability is durability, according to research from Deloitte and our own internal research. Learning Resources products have always been carefully designed with durability and longevity in mind [since its establishment in 1984], ensuring the ability of our products to withstand the test of time.

Q: What types of recycled plastic do you feature in your products?

A: We are consistently looking for new ways to incorporate sustainable resources into our products. One example is our recent launch of a collection of nature-themed toys, including the Growing Greenhouse Color & Number Playset, Hide and Seek Vegetable Garden, Peekaboo Gnome Homes and Blooming Balance Bees Fine Motor Sorting Set, all of which are made from postconsumer recycled plastic. This new line of toys not only reflects our dedication to reducing Learning Resources’ environmental footprint but showcases our focus on creating timeless and durable toys that empower multigenerational and lasting play.

We aim to continue incorporating sustainable materials throughout our operations and product life cycles and even have a few more eco-friendly products in the pipeline for 2025.

Q: How else does recycling fit into your operations? For example, do you incorporate recycled content in your packaging materials?

A: We consider aspects of sustainability across our operations and product life cycle, from product and package development to production and logistics. For example, we recycle all corrugated [scrap] and utilize recycled air pillows and recycled cardboard in our packaging to ensure the safe transport of our products and a reduced environmental impact.

We also continuously update our offices and warehouse facilities to reduce our environmental footprint. Some of our previous initiatives have included the incorporation of lighting that reduces electricity consumption, faucets that reduce water consumption and the use of eco-friendly paints and seals. To date, we’ve replaced over 1,000 light fixtures across our properties, reducing our annual kilowatt-hours of energy by 72 percent.

Q: What has been the consumer response to your recycling efforts?

A: We’ve received an incredibly positive response to our sustainability efforts, especially toward our new sustainable product line, and retailers have expressed excitement to add these sustainable products to their current offerings.

Q: How can the toy industry better embrace recycling and/or sustainability? What are some of the challenges?

A: First, integrating eco-friendly materials throughout the product life cycle is key to making a positive environmental impact. Whether it’s taking the leap into developing products sourced from eco-friendly materials or incorporating recycled materials into business supply chains one component at a time, it’s important for manufacturers in the toy industry to include sustainable efforts—no matter how small.

Second, it’s important to create avenues that mitigate waste throughout product supply chains. Initiatives in this case could include consumer education on sustainable practices or developing products designed with durable and high-quality materials to increase their life span.

Finally, continue to identify new vendors who produce recycled plastic and other sustainable materials to use in new product pipelines.

Q: Do you have any other recycling or sustainability initiatives in the works?

A: We continue to add new toys to our line that are made from recycled plastic. Following this year’s successful launch of four nature-themed toys made from recycled plastic, we will be adding even more items to that line in 2025 and beyond.

Marissa McNees is the managing editor of Recycling Today and can be reached at mmcnees@gie.net.