Toy cars turn eco to raise awareness among children

toy cars eco awareness
A Matchbox's Tesla Roadster die-cast toy made from recyclable materials is pictured in this undated photo obtained by Reuters on April 14, 2021. Mattel/Handout via REUTERS

LONDON (Reuters) – Matchbox is launching a new series of toy cars based on real-life electric and hybrid vehicles, in a bid to make its miniatures more sustainable and to raise awareness among children of the environmental impact of motoring.

The first model off the production line is a scaled-down version of the Tesla Roadster, which will be joined by toys based on cars made by Nissan, Toyota and BMW. Electric charging stations will also go on sale this year.

“We are unveiling a concept car, just like the real car industry does,” said Nuria Alonso, head of Matchbox marketing for EMEA.

She added that it would be the first die-cast model made of 99% recycled materials and is a certified CarbonNeutral® product. Matchbox achieved this certification by finding ways to create this toy in Earth-friendlier ways while balancing remaining carbon emissions by supporting North American grasslands conservation projects that preserve carbon sinks and avoid carbon emissions from their conversion to farmland.

The packaging is made of recycled FSC-certified materials, and the inner tray is made of 70% bio-based materials derived from potato. This forward-thinking Tesla Roadster serves as a blueprint for how eco-conscious our toys and packaging can be.

“We wanted to work with Tesla to inspire kids as the future drivers of tomorrow. We think their parents will love to see how their kids play with cars that encourage environmental consciousness, like electric cars.”

The launch is part of an overhaul in Britain and Europe at Matchbox, which is owned by toy maker Mattel.

The Matchbox brand was created nearly 70 years ago and sells more than 40 million die-cast vehicles each year.

(Reporting by Hanna Rantala)

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