In this episode, I'm playing devil's advocate. Since the Barbie movie has been released, Barbie dolls are destined to make a comeback. While Mattel promises a sustainable future by aiming to achieve "100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials" in their products and packaging by 2030, what's the reality of this goal? Is it as really as good as it seems?

Today, we'll break down plastics, or try to. We're going to take a brief look at Barbie's history, investigate how sustainable jargon can often mislead consumers, explore how some sustainability efforts and plastic alternatives can be over-hyped, and look into spiritual minimalism as one possible solution to the waste and pollution crisis.

Sources:

“Plastic Toys Have a Greater Impact on the Environment than We Thought” : https://www.greenmatters.com/p/environmental-impact-plastic-toys

“This Day in History”: https://www.kcra.com/article/barbie-doll-makes-debut-march-9-1959/43246566

“The Barbie Doll’s Not-for-Kids Origins”: https://time.com/3731483/barbie-history/#:~:text=The%20precursor%20to%20the%20Barbie,end%20call%20girl%20named%20Lilli.

“Barbie Wants to Recycle Old Barbies”: https://www.ecowatch.com/mattel-barbie-dolls-recycling-2653133305.html

“Plastic Recycling-a Failed Concept”: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/plastic-recycling-failed-concept-us-greenpeace-study-5-percent-recycled-production-up/

 “In a Barbie World…”: https://theconversation.com/in-a-barbie-world-after-the-movie-frenzy-fades-how-do-we-avoid-tonnes-of-barbie-dolls-going-to-landfill-209601

Mattel’s Official 2022 Annual Report: https://s201.q4cdn.com/696436908/files/doc_financials/2022/ar/Mattel-2022-Annual-Report-Web-Ready.pdf

 “Cars, Planes, and Trains”: https://ourworldindata.org/co2-emissions-from-transport

“Is Bioplastic the Better Plastic?” (Kiyo Dorrer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_eGOyAiNIQ&t=481s

“How to Live More by Owning Less”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfrkZiVyBfQ

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