“Removing plastic from our packaging is the latest advancement in our more than decade-long journey to create a more sustainable future for our business and our world,” said Brian Goldner, chairman and CEO of Hasbro, in a statement. “We have an experienced, cross-functional team in place to manage the complexity of this undertaking and will look to actively engage employees, customers and partners as we continue to innovate and drive progress as a leader in sustainability.”   Hasbro said it has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, from eliminating wire ties in 2010 and adding How2Recycle labeling in 2016, to the use of plant-based bioPET in 2018, and most recently, launching a toy recycling program with TerraCycle. Hasbro’s Sustainability Center of Excellence is charged with driving the integration of sustainability across the business, including driving sustainable packaging design principles.   “Reimagining and redesigning packaging across our brand portfolio is a complex undertaking, but we believe it’s important and our teams are up for the challenge,” said John Frascotti, president and chief operating officer of Hasbro, in a statement. “We know consumers share our commitment to protecting the environment, and we want families to feel good knowing that our packaging will be virtually plastic-free, and our products can be easily recycled through our Toy Recycling Program with TerraCycle.”   Hasbro’s Toy Recycling Program enables consumers to send well-loved Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, which recycles them into materials to be used in the construction of play spaces, flowerpots, park benches and other innovative uses. Hasbro recently announced the expansion of the program to France, Germany and Brazil and plans to expand the program to additional markets with the goal of ensuring all Hasbro toys and games are recyclable in the major markets where it does business.

That last stat came to me recently by way of Sue Kauffman, public relations manager for TerraCycle, a recycling company that focuses on, interestingly enough, non-recyclable pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. Kauffman put a hard stop on my dreams that I could simply toss L.O.L. dolls, or any of the old toys spilling out of my daughter’s closet, in the recycling bin. The majority of these products, she says, are likely not recyclable at all.

That last stat came to me recently by way of Sue Kauffman, public relations manager for TerraCycle, a recycling company that focuses on, interestingly enough, non-recyclable pre-consumer and post-consumer waste. Kauffman put a hard stop on my dreams that I could simply toss L.O.L. dolls, or any of the old toys spilling out of my daughter’s closet, in the recycling bin. The majority of these products, she says, are likely not recyclable at all.

Did you get a new phone recently? How about a laptop, printer, TV, electronic game, toy or small kitchen appliance? We are constantly upgrading and buying new electronics, but what do we do with the old ones we no longer want, or are no longer working? We are producing more and more electronic waste (e-waste) than ever before, and only 20 percent of it is recycled worldwide. Here are some facts about e-waste, including what you can do to reuse or recycle it responsibly. According to the United Nations, almost 45 million tons of e-waste were discarded globally in 2016, and this amount is projected to increase 3-4 percent every year. About 20 percent is recycled safely, 4 percent is disposed of in landfills, and the fate of the remaining 76 percent is unknown, but is likely either dumped or recycled in unsafe conditions. According to the UN, about a third of e-waste from the U.S. is shipped to developing countries, where it is often recycled in a way that is unsafe to both human health and the environment. Electronics contain valuable metals that are extracted during the recycling process. According to the EPA, for every one million cell phones that are recycled, 35,274 pounds of copper, 772 pounds of silver, 75 pounds of gold, and 33 pounds of palladium (a precious metal) can be recovered. Electronics also contain heavy metals which can leach into soil and water when dumped or placed in a landfill, and can be dangerous to workers who recycle them without proper safety equipment. Knowing all of this, how can you dispose of old electronics responsibly? If they are still working, you can sell or donate them. Bring working electronics and small appliances (no old CRT TVs and computer monitors) to Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, or call Hartsprings Foundation (Big Brothers/Big Sisters) to pick them up. The Hospice Shop in Northampton takes small household appliances, but no computer equipment. If electronics are non-working, bring or send them for recycling to: Staples — They accept computers and accessories, audio and video devices, phones, video games, and a few kinds of small appliances at no charge. No TVs, lamps, or kitchen electronics. Search Staples Recycling to see the full list. Best Buy — They accept computers and accessories, audio and video devices, phones, video games, cameras, and a short list of small appliances at no charge. $25 charge for TVs and monitors. Search Best Buy Recycling for the full list. Goodwill — Through the Dell Reconnect program, you can bring any brand of desktop or laptop computers and accessories to Goodwill, and Dell will collect and recycle them. Northampton Computer Repair — They take all desktop and laptop computers, phones, and flat panel monitors and TVs under 40” at no charge. Check to make sure they have storage available. Valley Recycling — They take any electronics or small appliances for a small fee. Fees vary. Check their list at https://www.valley-recycling.us/. Municipal Transfer Stations — Most transfer stations take electronics and appliances for recycling (fees apply) if you have a sticker. Some towns also have electronics collection events. Hasbro and Terracycle Toy Recycling Program — These companies have teamed up to offer free recycling for any old toys and games, including electronic ones. Go to www.terracycle.com and search Hasbro Toy Recycling Pilot Program. Cell Phones for Soldiers — Donate working phones for soldiers to use overseas. They also accept non-working phones for recycling. See www.cellphonesforsoldiers.com. Mimi Kaplan is the waste reduction coordinator for the Town of Amherst Department of Public Works.

When toys and electronics are recycled they are physically destroyed, shredded, and segregated into piles of different metals, plastics, and glass. “It's modern mining, to an extent, where they're trying to mine the most valuable aspects of the product, and then pass the rest of the product on to the next guy to sell,” says Brett Stevens, Global VP of Material Sales & Procurement at TerraCycle.

When toys and electronics are recycled they are physically destroyed, shredded, and segregated into piles of different metals, plastics, and glass. “It's modern mining, to an extent, where they're trying to mine the most valuable aspects of the product, and then pass the rest of the product on to the next guy to sell,” says Brett Stevens, Global VP of Material Sales & Procurement at TerraCycle.

Hasbro, Inc. recently launched a new toy and game recycling pilot program with TerraCycle, a leader in product recycling. During the pilot program, consumers can collect and send their well-loved Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, who will recycle them into materials that can be used in the construction of play spaces, flower pots, park benches, and other innovative uses.

Hasbro is launching a new, industry-leading, toy and game recycling pilot program with TerraCycle, a global leader in product recycling. Consumers can collect and send their Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, which will recycle them into materials that can be used in the construction of play spaces, flower pots, park benches, and other innovative uses.

Hasbro continúa su viaje de sostenibilidad y se alía con TerraCycle para ofrecer un programa de reciclaje como apoyo a la economía circular.