Special Interest
As globalization and population increase, so has our textile production. In combination with innovations in fiber production, the amount of clothing and textiles that we produce has become a huge contributor towards our global waste issue. In 2024, discarded clothing worldwide reached 120 million metric tons—a clear indication of
Special Interest
When it comes to consumer products, we tend to associate a recycled label with having a positive impact on the environment. When it comes to recycled textiles, however, and in particular, recycled polyester, this clear definition of positive environmental impact begins to blur. Polyester fabric is created by using plastic,
Special Interest
During our research, the Local Loops group had the opportunity to visit the Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center in Central Ohio. Led on an informational tour of the facility by Education and Community Relations Assistant Lauren Monnin, we discovered that the facility boasts one of the highest recovery rates in
Special Interest
Guided by our belief that every day is a chance to do better, in 2018 we introduced the first-in-the-industry toy recycling program and last year committed to eliminate virtually all plastic in packaging for new products by the end of 2022, building on our decade-long journey
Special Interest
In 2019, Hasbro set a goal to drastically reduce plastic packaging on it's products by 2022. This came as part of its larger initiative to act more environmentally conscious (Pyzyk, 2023). However, fans of the collectible toys note that the windowless packaging contributed to reduced sales because consumers
Special Interest
Collectable trading card games have long been a large source of plastic waste. Each single booster pack comes individually wrapped, and those wraps immediately go into the trash as soon as the product is opened. Bandai Namco, producer of some of the largest modern-day card games, has created a
Special Interest
In recent years, the multi-faceted toy company Mattel has set an end goal of becoming more environmentally conscious by the end of the decade. Aligned with Mattel’s goal to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastic materials in our products and packaging by 2030, we introduced several
Special Interest
Green Toys is an American company that specializes in 100% recycled plastic playthings. Since day one, our mission has been to create toys that are safe, sustainable, and built for endless play—while doing right by the planet and future generations (Green Toys, n.d.). Not only are the toys
Special Interest
As additional primary research during this project, members of the Local Loops group, Annie Hughes and I, visited the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio for an educational tour of the landfill and the technology that goes into it. There, we met with Kim Chapman, Education Specialist, and Sean Collins,
Special Interest
MyPlant is a modular and expandable playset that allows a user to learn and play with the process of recycling materials, made of recycled plastic. This rapid design sketch represents a children's toy or toy set that would feature educational models or a recycling plant. The set would
2026-27 Capstone
BridgeGap invites children and grandparents to connect through storytelling and drawing. Inspired by the idea of Skribbl, the system uses a digital screen with a paper-like texture to create a simple shared activity during a car ride. It is designed especially for families whose relationships may be affected by
2026-27 Capstone
For interview, I selected three different samples from the KCC Korean School community who are in different situations with their grandparents' proximity. Seeing how their varying situations might have shaped their lives and relationship differently was the main goal of this interview. It was interesting as to see the