Barbie’s green pink world: Will the dolls’ rise affect climate change?

There’s been a barrage of memes flooding the inter-streets about the similarity of the two visual masterpieces. Most of the memes were largely about fan flexes, preferences, and marketing gimmicks that Hollywood is renowned for. But few people noticed how disastrous the two movies are. Yes, we know Oppenheimer will literally explode on Box Office, but the rise and rise and rise of Barbie might pause a big threat on climate change.

How?

Put on your 3D glasses now. Look, Barbie is a plastic fashion doll manufactured by American toy company, Mattel, Inc. and launched on March 9, 1959. The doll has shaped kids’ imaginations for over 60 years. She’s even had over 200 careers. It’s a global icon. Amidst its astronomical success, Barbie has been criticized for its massive environmental impact. The annual sales for Barbie dolls are estimated at about $60 million. That’s a carbon emissions equivalent to burning 1.7 billion liters of gasoline. 

Now, with Barbie’s popularity rising by day, the numbers are bound to shoot to high heavens this year. Mattel, the Barbie manufacturer, and film producer have spent approximately $100M on marketing alone this year. Of course, this will see millions of toys getting off the shelves at the speed of, well, an atomic bomb.

Toys are the most plastic-intensive consumer goods in the world. They’re also rarely recycled because of their complex mix of different types of plastics. Worldwide, toys make up 6% of all landfill plastic. Plastics have a disastrous impact on the environment, but only 9% of plastic waste has been recycled. 
Where will all these toys go? Well, they will end up in that sewer behind your rented house and eventually clogging the system. They will end up in lakes and oceans and rivers around the world impacting on aquatic life. Barbie’s world will cease to be colorful. 

Thankfully, to reduce on the catastrophe that’s looming above Barbie’s world, the brand partnered with the Jane Goodall Institute and introduced a Dr. Jane Goodall Inspiring Women Doll and 2022 Barbie Career of The Year Eco-Leadership Team. The Inspiring Women doll and career doll set are certified carbon-neutral and made from recycled ocean-bound plastic.  

In 2021, Mattel launched a Barbie collection that’s made from recycled plastic to fight ocean pollution. The new collection was part of Mattel’s efforts to use 100% recycled, recyclable or biodegradable plastic materials across its products. Also, the Barbie brand launched its campaign ‘The Future of Pink is Green’ which will help the brand become more sustainable, as well, as educate children about the importance of protecting the environment. 

At least there are efforts in place trying to make Barbie’s pink world a green one. However, the question in the room is in form of a question, is the world ready for all these dolls?

See you at the movies.