GREENPEACE APPLAUDS MATTEL’S DECISION TO REPLACE PVC WITH PLANT-BASED PLASTICS IN TOYS

8 December 1999

Amsterdam, – Greenpeace today applauded the decision by Mattel Inc., a world leading toy manufacturer, to remove polyvinylchloride (PVC) from its toys and switch to plant-based plastics. Mattel will start selling the new, environmentally friendly products as soon as 2001.

The move followed a year of discussions with Greenpeace. While petroleum based alternatives to PVC materials in toys have been available for many years, Mattel has gone a step further by switching to non petroluem based plastics. “Children born today can now realistically look forward to playing with PVC-free toys that are made of environmentally friendly, bio-based plastic,” said Axel Singhofen of Greenpeace.

Mattel’s new policy comes on the heels of the European Union’s formal adoption today of its ban on six toxic softeners (phthalates) found in soft PVC toys marketed for teething. Member states have ten days to fully implement the provision. In the US, where Mattel is based, the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has only asked for voluntary removal of phthalates in teething toys and rattles. The EU rejected an similar offer by Europe’s toy industry and instead adopted an emergency ban on these products. The EU has legally banned soft PVC teething toys but does not legally require outlets to withdraw these products from their shelves. Nor does its ban cover other toys that children could put in their mouths.

“Greenpeace applauds Mattel for moving away from PVC which leads to toxic emmissions and waste during its manufacture and disposal and is dependant on toxic additives to be useful,” added Singhofen. “Moving to plant-based plastics could revolutionize the consumer product industry at a time when more and more people are looking towards more environmentally-responsible products. Industry is increasingly realising that there is no future in PVC,” he added.

Vinyl is the only plastic connected to both dioxin formation and the release of chemical softeners known as phthalates. Phthalates have been linked to damage to the kidneys, liver and testicles in animal experiments.

Mattel joins several other global companies that have decided to replace PVC in their products including LEGO, IKEA, Nike, The Body Shop, General Motors, Honda, and Baxter Healthcare.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
- Axel Singhofen, Greenpeace Toxics Campaign, 32 2 280 1987
- Matilda Bradshaw, Greenpeace Press Desk, 31 20 524 9545
- Lisa Finaldi, Greenpeace Toxics Campaign, 1 919 828 5202
Greenpeace"Play safe" website