Unveiling New Sustainable Packaging Materials and Design at Hasbro

Hasbro is a global play and entertainment company committed to Creating the World’s Best Play Experiences. From toys and games to television, movies, digital gaming, and consumer products, Hasbro is famous for some of the world’s most known and loved brands, such as NERF, My Little Pony, Transformers, Play-Doh, Monopoly, Baby Alive, Magic: The Gathering, and many others. But did you know they are also a leader in sustainability in the toy industry?

Hasbro ranked No.3 on Newsweek’s 2017 Green Rankings, No.1 on the 100 Best Corporate Citizens list for 2017 by CRMagazine, and was recognized as a 2018 World’sMost Ethical Company® by Ethisphere Institute. Earlier this year, Hasbro announced plans to begin using plant-based packaging materials as a way to further solidify their continued commitment to sustainability.

Hasbro began moving toward more environmentally-efficient packaging in 2007. Starting with a focus on packages in transit, they eliminated tissue paper and moved to single-wall shipping cartons. Next, they eliminated the use of wire ties, making their packages easier to open. This change alone saved approximately 34,000 miles of wire in the first year – more than enough to circle the earth. They replaced polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in 2013 and achieved 90 percent recycled or sustainably-sourced paper for packaging and in-box content in 2015. Using plant-based bio-PET for blister packs and plastic windows in their product packaging is the next step in Hasbro’s sustainable packaging journey.

We spoke with Hasbro’s Sustainability Center of Excellence Team about their latest sustainable packaging initiative and future plans. Click through to read the interview.

Questions answered

• What are the key sustainable packaging principles that define your packaging strategy?
• What have been Hasbro’s greatest successes in the areas of corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability, specifically with regards to product and packaging?
• What can you tell us about Hasbro’s plans to roll out plant-based packaging next year?
• In what ways are environmental requirements incorporated into Hasbro’s product development?
• How do you strike a balance between sustainability, innovation, and quality?