Design Life-Cycle
assess.design.(don't)consume
Bryana Torres
Logan Robinson, Jiliane Honh
DES 040A
Professor Cogdell
Teddy Bears: Materials
Teddy Bears are if not one of the most popular toys in the world. Every kid has had a furry bear in their life. The toy bear consists of a head, abdomen, arms, and legs; all of which are sewn together and stuffed to create a soft and squishable bear toy. Many people go out and purchase these toys as a gift or purchase them from a store. However, because of the accessibility that the store or toy shop provides to purchase the toy, many people overlook the production. Thus leading to the lack of attention to materials and acquisition. The fabrication might not be as sustainable or pretty as many might assume. The components used to make teddy bears are not sustainable as they come mainly from Petroleum, a non-renewable fossil fuel chemically processed with harmful chemicals and non-biodegradable material, and often not reused or recycled as they should.
Before beginning the journey through the lifecycle, it is important to note the relevance of the materials within the bear itself. As I started my research journey I attempted to find articles describing the process of the bear eyes. However, I was not lucky and did not find much information. However, there was “The Teddy Bear’s Eyes” (Hermann.de) article I came across that provided some information on its secondary materials. The material for the eyes I came across was acrylic. In my attempt to find the raw material for acrylic, I found another article from Britannic that revealed that acrylic is made from “lighter fractions of crude oil” (Encyclopedia Britannica). Ultimately, acrylic is derived from crude oils, just as polyester is derived from crude oils. Their processes differ after polymerization, according to AC Plastics Inc., they are “molded into acrylic sheets [and] then cured” (Acplasticsinc.com). This was very similar to the polymerization of polyester, except, polyester undergoes extruding and drying rather than molds.
As a preface to my lifecycle research, my group and I decided to have a model bear for our poster with regard to materials. We found a teddy bear on the F.A.O. Schwarz® website to use for reference (FAO Schwarz). This bear and many others that we viewed all had a very high percentage of polyester in their materials list which accounts for both the synthetic fur and the synthetic stuffing that the bears are stuffed with. Similar to the teddy bear eyes, finding information on the stuffing material was quite difficult. Therefore, I opted to search for purchasable stuffing and came across the product on the Walmart Company website, which provided product details that describe the stuffing as a “polyester fiber” (Walmart.com). In this model, there is a small fraction of remaining materials either read ‘plastic’ or ‘acrylic’, this is due to the materials that the eyes and other plastic accessories are made from. Therefore we made the unanimous decision to focus solely on polyester as a secondary material.
Beginning with the components of the furry bear, they are made from a non-renewable primary material that can cause harm to the environment. The synthetic fur and stuffing fiber that is used to assemble the parts of the bear are made of polyester which is derived from Petroleum. Petroleum is crude oil and is extracted using fracking. In an article published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), “Oil and petroleum products explained”, petroleum is gathered by loosening the oils from diatoms, which are fossilized animals and plants (Eia.gov). The loosening of these oils from diatoms is done by fracking. Another article published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) also explains fracking as “[requiring] large amounts of water, and it uses potentially hazardous chemicals to release the oil from the rock strata” (Eia.gov). Fracking drills must be installed in order for the acquisition to begin, therefore in many cases, vegetation must be removed (Eia.gov). The installation of fracking drills is not limited to land, they are also installed underwater in oceans; this installation can cause unnatural seismic activity. The installation of both land and sea fracking can displace surrounding ecosystems and life. Displacement is not the only harm of fracking, but the harm to the quality of life in surrounding areas. According to the “Oil and the environment” article, large amounts of water can lead to a shortage of water, thus leading to a poorer quality of life in surrounding areas (Eia.gov). There is also the possibility that fracking sites can have faulty spills; which leak hazardous waste to surrounding areas (Eia.gov). Once the petroleum is extracted, it is sent to refineries to be produced into a secondary material, that is polyester.
After the acquisition of Petroleum as a raw material, it must be chemically processed before it is turned into synthetic fabrics and fibers, however, this process is harmful to the environment. The CDFA article describes that it must go through multiple refining processes to get to the desired polyester (Cfda.com). In the first refining, with heat the Petroleum becomes Ethylene; this is essential to the production of polyester. While this process releases harmful toxins into the environment, the process of turning Ethylene into Polyester is much more harmful. According to a Sewport article, this process produces “more harmful synthetic byproducts, and the dyes and treatment processes used by polyester fabric manufacturers may also make their way into the surrounding environment” (Sewport). These pollutants could harm living beings and ecosystems in proximity. After the polyester has been produced, there is the washing of the fibers in order to wash away the harsh chemicals used, which contributes to wastewater, the article states “washing and disposal of polyester contributes to a significant amount of water pollution in terms of heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and plastic pollution” (Cfda.com). The wastewater is not cured of toxins and goes on to pollute.
The toxins being released turn into a sociopolitical issue as many of the companies producing polyester are mostly in non-Western countries. In a Sewport article, information regarding the countries contributing the most polyester production in the world (Sewport); China is the biggest polyester exporter according to the “Top 11 Largest Polyester Manufacturer in the World” (Perfectextile). Overseas labor makes the purchasing of the product cheaper. Once these materials have been acquired, they are assembled and sold, what happens to these components then?
Furthermore, the popularity of teddy bears and other plush toys has contributed to the high production of their components, i.e. fabric and stuffing, however, the issue with their high demand and production is that these components are not being recycled often enough. This issue becomes abundant once a teddy bear is not in use. At the end of its lifecycle, it is often discarded, ending up in a landfill. In landfills, Polyester is a non-biodegradable material, as it is oil-based (Common Objective). Therefore it does not break down in the landfill and stays for hundreds of years (The Good Boutique). While it is possible to recycle Polyester, it is very difficult to do with teddy bears as they are heterogenous; meaning that they are comprised of materials that are not just polyester. The heterogeneity of the teddy bear does not allow the plush toy to be easily recycled (La-pelucherie.com). However, in my research, I also found innovative Companies, like Vermont Teddy Bear. The Vermont Teddy Bear utilizes recycled plastic water bottles as stuffing fibers (Inside the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne). This reduces the reliance on virgin materials and minimizes environmental impact. Innovations like these showcase potential creative solutions within the toy industry to address sustainability challenges. Yet, despite these advancements, the issue of microplastics continues. Microplastics, tiny particles shed by various parts of the toy, including stuffing fibers and fabric, pose a threat to ecosystems and human health (The Good Boutique). Despite efforts to use recycled materials, the shedding of microplastics emphasizes the larger challenge of plastic pollution in our environment. With this, there is a pressing need for continued research, innovation, and collaboration within the production of toy manufacturing.
In conclusion, the journey of a teddy bear from materials to production, eventually to the landfill tells a bigger story regarding the problematic consumption of non-renewable materials. Each step, from oil extraction to assembly, carries ecological consequences that are often overlooked. Polyester, one of the key components, originates from petroleum, a finite resource, and its production releases harmful toxins. Disposal poses another challenge, as polyester doesn't break down easily, adding to landfill waste. Addressing these impacts will require innovation. By raising awareness and advocating for more sustainable practices, we can have a future where toys can be made without harming our planet. In a larger sense, it is crucial to consider the environmental impacts of everyday items like teddy bears, that can and do in fact have a tremendous impact on the state of our planet, such as global warming.
Bibliography
“CFDA.” Cfda.com, Polyester | Materials Index | CFDA. Accessed 16 May 2024.
Common Objective. “Fibre Briefing: Polyester.” Common Objective, 22 Oct. 2021, Briefing On Polyester | Sustainable Fibre | Common Objective. Accessed 24 May 2024.
“F.A.O. Schwarz® 12" Sparklers Toy Plush Bear with Removable Red Heart Glasses.” FAO
Schwarz, faoschwarz.com/products/f-a-o-schwarz. Accessed 16 May 2024.
Luo, Yy. “Top 11 Largest Polyester Manufacturer in the World.” Perfectextile, 3 Mar. 2023, Top 11 Largest Polyester Manufacturer in the World (Update 2024). Accessed 23 May 2024.
“Oil and Petroleum Products Explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).”
Eia.gov, Oil and petroleum products explained - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Accessed 24 May 2024.
“Oil and the Environment - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).” Eia.gov, Oil and
petroleum products explained Oil and the environment. Accessed 24 May 2024.
“Polycarbonate vs Acrylic - Learn about the Difference between Acrylic & Polycarbonate Material.” Acplasticsinc.com, Learn about the Difference Between Acrylic & Polycarbonate Material | A&C Plastics. Accessed 24 May 2024.
“Robot or Human?” Walmart.com, Polyester Fiber Teddy Bear Stuffing for a 14" to 18" Animal -
Walmart.com. Accessed 3 May 2024.
“The Dark Side of Stuffed Animals: The Environmental Impact of Mass Production.” The Good
Boutique, The Good Boutique, 1 June 2023, The Dark Side Of Stuffed Animals: The Environmental Impact Of Mass Production | The Good Boutique. Accessed 23, 2024.
The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. “Polymethyl Methacrylate.” Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 May 2024.
“The Teddy Bear’s Eyes.” Hermann.de, HERMANN-Coburg Teddy Bear - The Eyes. Accessed 25 May 2024.
VTDigger. Inside the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory in Shelburne. YouTube, 1 Sept. 2019,
Inside the Vermont Teddy Bear factory in Shelburne.
“What Is Polyester Fabric: Properties, How Its Made and Where.” Sewport, 12 June 2019,
What is Polyester Fabric: Properties, How its Made and Where | Sewport. April 26,
2024.
“8 creative ideas for recycling your old stuffed animals.” La-pelucherie.com, 8 Creative Ideas for Recycling Your Old Stuffed Animals – La Pelucherie. Accessed 24 May 2024.
Logan Robinson
Bryana Torres, Jiliane Honh
DES40A
June 5, 2024
The Life Cycle of a Teddy Bear - Energy
Teddy bears are one of the most iconic symbols of childhood throughout the world. They represent the innocence, imagination, and fantasy of youth, their soft nature and caring eyes help to act as a friend for a developing child. They play an important role in the early ages of childhood, but behind the furry emblem of pure wonderment is a very complicated energy inefficient manufacturing process. Though there are good aspects such as Amazon's quick delivery and the more recent implementation of electric vehicles, overall there is a lack of eco-friendly production. From the sourcing of raw materials, to the energy that goes into the literal production in the form of sewing machines and transportation, to the unsustainable disposal. There is energy sewn into every step of the process but unfortunately too much is being used for too little. The manufacturing of teddy bears is not an energy efficient operation. If it wanted to be it would have to be an active choice. It couldn't be a small cut down on some aspects of the production, it would have to be a full shift and in this economy of mass production it's not likely. Though teddy bears are cute, fun, and arguably important, are they worth the large environmental impact that they create?
The raw materials aspect of the production of the toy uses a lot of different kinds of energy for very little. Most Teddy Bears are made from fabrics like “wool, silk, rayon, nylon, other synthetics, or combinations of fibers.” (“How Fake Fur Is Made - Material, Manufacture, Making, History, Used, Processing, Structure, Steps, Product.” Madehow.com,). The operation of weaving or knitting fabric can use quite a bit of energy depending on the process, electricity is usually the energy being used for this kind of production by powering machinery and all the other moving pieces. It is another instance where heat (kinetic energy) is used as well. While the stuffing is usually something like polyester replacing the original wood shavings.“Polyester is a synthetic or man-made fiber material. Shortened from its technical name, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)” (Apex Mills. “What Is Polyester? A Complete Guide.”) The collecting and making of the materials such as polyester to produce teddy bears is usually done by using a source like electricity. Electricity is used to refine crude oil into petrochemicals and make polyester fibers. Processes like extracting the raw materials and polymerization require not only electric energy but heat (kinetic energy), and water. Though it depends on the specific manufacturer, both different kinds of creating or sourcing for the fabrics and the stuffing are using a large amount of energy for a small reward, deeming this method a not energy efficient procedure.
When it comes to the process of production, electricity and manual labor play crucial, abundant roles in the mechanical aspects like industrial sewing machines. Although teddy bears are produced on a very large scale, the amount of energy being put into their production once again overhangs the overall outcome. The sewing machines are one of the more important components to creating the teddys. All of the fabric sewing is done thanks to electric sewing machines while the stuffing also requires mechanical work powered by electrical energy. Following the stuffing of the bear according to “How Fake Fur Is Made - Material, Manufacture, Making, History, Used, Processing, Structure, Steps, Product.” Madehow.com manual labor is also a key addition to the process, one example being a “bear surgeon”. This person physically sews up any mistakes as well as the opening in the back of the bear. Another example being connected to the sewing machines themselves as with most companies they have a row of people running the machines sewing the bears. Within the finishing process of teddy bear production there are also heating and cooling factors that come into play when working with polyester. With this comes the kinetic energy of heat, and water energy.
Transportation takes up a large amount of energy used in this process. Though distance and mass plays a huge role in the equation a lot of energy goes into the transportation of the teddy bears as well. As they need to be moved from the factories, to distributors, to consumers and to recycling facilities. Fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel) play a large role in transportation in the form of powering fleets of vehicles like trucks and vans. Which are usually what is used for land-based transportation of goods. Aviation fuel and boat fuel is also a large energy source for any flight-based, overseas transportation, which is necessary as 90% of teddy bears sold in the United States are produced in China and indonesia. Though most transportation is done by fuel powered vehicles. The more energy efficient option would be something electrically powered like EV vehicles. There is also the factor of route efficiency because in most cases aviary transportation goes to multiple unnecessary places before reaching the final destination. An improvement would be to plan routes in a more methodical way. Teddy bear recycling also is a very energy-involved step of the life cycle. Most of the recycling of teddy bears relies on individuals, it's not based on a large system, it's based on independent altruism in the form of thrift stores and charity donation. Therefore there is not a huge amount of energy that goes into the recycling of teddy bears because for the most part that aspect of the life cycle happens through individual people donating. There are still energy related factors that need to be taken into consideration. In most cases the energy being human made (manual labor), for example collection and sorting which is done by thrift store workers. While this type of labor doesn't use energy on a large scale, it is still energy being put into the recycling process. Transportation for recycling purposes is also an energy consuming factor. As once teddy bears are collected they need to either be transported to a recycling facility or they need to be individually taken to a thrift store by the common civilian. This involves fuel based and electric energy. Cleaning is another part of the recycling process, which is mostly done with manual labor. This also can include the electrical use of something like a washing machine and a dryer. Overall this is a good, more eco-friendly part of the cycle as these toys are one hundred percent recycled and reused.
The disposal of the teddy bear usually has a large environmental impact. It is important to state that most disposal facilities are built for the purpose of disposing of many different products, but the impact coming from just teddy bears is still substantial. As about 80% of stuffed animals and other toys that are produced are thrown away instead of donated. This number is quite large especially taking into account the fact that according to a 2022 study about 6 billion stuffed animals are produced every year. Like the disposal of most products a lot of different kinds of energy goes into disposing of a teddy bear. Originally physical energy is used to move the product to any disposal facility. Meaning the physical effort put into the transportation. Electric energy is also used, for any electric machinery being used in the disposal process, like incinerators or any robotic components. There is also an opportunity for chemical energy as the teddy bears are incinerated thermal energy (meaning heat) which is used to cremate the toys. In most cases machinery is involved meaning mechanical energy is also used in the process. Mechanical energy would be used for things like shredders and compactors. There is also manual labor and human energy used in this operation in the form of sorting and transporting. There is also in some cases environmental energy being used as some companies actively try to lessen their environmental impact. In the case that the teddy bears are chemically decomposed then chemical energy is used for the disposal process. Altogether the process consumes time, money, product and for the most part, energy.
Though there is a lot of importance with teddy bears, in the emotional and the cultural senses there are many ways that the production process could be much more energy efficient. The Energy used for the materials, manufacturing, recycling, and disposal is too much to justify the amount being produced, especially at the rate that the teddy bears get thrown away. Starting with raw material selection, choosing materials that cost less energy to produce in the first place would take the energy consumption down significantly. The manufacturing process can be improved through reducing idle time and efficient usage. This includes investing in new equipment that is generally more energy efficient. Powering any production facilities, using solar or wind energy would have the biggest impact in the total sense. Also using recycled materials, monitoring energy, as well as supply chain optimization. Overall the life cycle of the teddy bear is a wasteful one, there are good aspects but to improve a lot needs to be changed.
Bibliography
Logan Robinson
“All You Need to Know Guide to Jellycat Soft Toys.” Jarrold, 6 Oct. 2023,
www.jarrolds.co.uk/guides-and-articles/arts-and-toys/jellycat-all-you-need-to-know
Apex Mills. “What Is Polyester? A Complete Guide.” Apex Mills, 9 Aug. 2022,
www.apexmills.com/media_post/what-is-polyester/
Common Objective. “Fibre Briefing: Polyester.” Common Objective, 22 Oct. 2021,
www.commonobjective.co/article/fibre-briefing-polyester
“How Fake Fur Is Made - Material, Manufacture, Making, History, Used, Processing, Structure, Steps, Product.” Madehow.com,
www.madehow.com/Volume-3/Fake-Fur.html
“How Modern Teddy Bears Came to Be.” MINT Museum of Toys, 2 Sept. 2023,
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Jiliane Honh
Logan Robinson, Bryana Torres
DES 40A
Professor Cogdell
The Dying Teddy Bear: Life Cycle Assessment on Waste from Teddy Bears
The teddy bear is a classic symbol of love and adolescence as they are given during multiple occasions such as Valentine's Day, birthdays, and Christmas to bring joy to loved ones. However, due to this popular demand, teddy bears have become a mass-produced product for consumers. With any mass-produced item, there is almost always a consequence that one must consider when choosing to spend money on a product. One main concern is how much waste the teddy bear industry creates per year and how this impacts the environment overall. Plus, what happens to a teddy bear when the consumer no longer wants it and disposes of it? Teddy bears create an abundance of waste for the environment because consumerism causes numerous teddy bears to end up in landfills, teddy bear production uses harmful materials that release microplastics, and the majority of stages of production are wasteful, and overall contribute to the global problem of pollution in the environment.
Due to consumerism, a significant amount of teddy bears have ended up in landfills, which accumulates tons of waste for the environment. As consumerism is currently at an all-time high, this means that the environment suffers more from the consequences of overconsumption and profit. While most people live a materialistic lifestyle, this also has its drawbacks because oftentimes, this will result in a large accumulation of waste. With teddy bears or toys in general, this is the common trend where children no longer want their toys so parents will toss them without much consideration to the environment. According to The Washington Post, a study that was done in 2022 shows that eighty percent of stuffed animals (including teddy bears) are thrown away once consumers no longer want them. This entirely makes up about six percent of the plastic waste that fills up landfills all over the world. (Free). A fuzzy stuffed companion that is meant to be cherished gets thrown away too often to the point where “1 in 3 parents” (Spary) have gotten rid of toys that are still in great condition and completely fine to play with. Overall, this is concerning since this becomes a never-ending cycle of consumers buying toys and throwing them away which creates a larger accumulation of waste in the environment. However, it is not entirely the consumer's fault, as the industry is largely responsible. It seems that because of consumer habits, teddy bears have become quite destructive for the environment, but what about the waste that is created by the manufacturing industry of teddy bears?
The teddy bear manufacturing industry largely contributes to the pollution of the environment because unsustainable materials are utilized which releases tons of harmful microplastics. For starters, we’ve already established the fact that teddy bears are mass-produced, and this is inherently wasteful since the waste that’s created by one product is suddenly multiplied by millions due to mass production. Looking deeper into the process of making teddy bears, teddy bears are created with a synthetic material known as polyester fur. According to the Council of Fashion Designers, polyester is a material that is made out of petroleum and turned into plastic fibers. These plastic fibers inevitably release microplastic waste into the environment at all stages of its creation and utilization as a material. As teddy bears are being created with polyester, the truth is that they will always release microplastics due to the nature of the materials they’re created with. So, imagine the microplastics from one teddy bear being multiplied by millions of teddy bears because they’re mass-produced. The issue at hand is that we are consuming synthetic materials daily since microplastic waste is very difficult to get rid of in the environment. Overall, this could potentially harm us as it is already detrimental to the environment. According to the Science Learning Hub, microplastic pollution is becoming a significant problem as it’s integrating with most parts of our ecosystems and even into the food we eat. Considering how teddy bears are marketed towards women and children, microplastic waste is highly concerning for our development as human beings with reproductive systems. (Sharma and Chatterjee). From teddy bears, microplastic fibers are being released into the environment and we are most likely inhaling them which can result in a harmful outcome. Plus, every time a teddy bear sheds its fur, it will always release some form of microplastic waste. However, this is only the beginning as microplastics are not the only kind of waste that comes from teddy bears since production uses unsustainable and wasteful practices.
Another factor of the teddy bear manufacturing process is that it also produces a large amount of material waste during the majority of stages of production and transportation of teddy bears. According to Madehow, the material waste resulting from the actual creation of teddy bears is through fabric scraps and polyester stuffing during the assembly of the product. However, this is wasteful because these fabric scraps and excess stuffings are not likely to be recycled and are thrown away. This is to be expected with most manufacturing processes that involve textiles, but this creates tons of accumulating waste to no end. There is also packaging, excess material, and unused products that are thrown away which add onto the large amount of waste created by manufacturing. (The Good Boutique). According to The Sustainability Consortium, in another stage of production, the textiles used to make teddy bears are dyed with large quantities of water and chemicals. This is problematic because it’s quite difficult to utilize and treat this water to be reusable afterward since it’s been contaminated during textile processing. This results in the creation of a bunch of wastewater that is terrible for the environment and can ruin ecosystems. (The Nature Conservancy). It’s also important to note that teddy bears are often sourced with materials coming from different countries like China, which is the case for a company like Easetex Industries who create textiles. With materials being sourced from other countries, this requires them to be shipped far distances for teddy bears to be made. This unnecessarily uses a lot of fuel for transportation, which contributes to air pollution since this releases a vast amount of carbon emissions into the environment. Not only is there material waste, water waste, and energy waste, but there is also pollution on land and in the air. Now that we have established how wasteful the teddy bear industry is, how do all of these factors overall impact the environment?
Overall, teddy bear consumption and production greatly contribute to the global problem of plastic pollution from nonbiodegradable materials being released into the environment. As teddy bears sit in landfills waiting to decompose, this will not be a healthy and sustainable process. Instead, according to Grandeuria, dyes and chemicals from teddy bears will melt into the environment and contaminate landfills. This is a form of chemical pollution and plastic pollution that destroys ecosystems and the environment. Additionally, since teddy bears are made with synthetic materials, they will take hundreds of years to decompose! (Grandeuria). This is lots of time for the teddy bear to release microplastic waste that will integrate into the environment as the teddy bear slowly dies at the end of its life cycle. This is the substantial issue that comes from a majority of products that are created with synthetic materials since most polyester will not be recycled and instead sits in landfills to contaminate the Earth. (Bears for Humanity). Overall, as consumers no longer want their teddy bears, and as the industry continues to unsustainably mass produce them, there will be a never-ending cycle of plastic pollution that accumulates in the environment. All the factors discussed above demonstrate why teddy bears are wasteful in terms of how this product is being consumed and thrown away, how manufacturing leaves behind a bunch of waste, and how toxic this plastic pollution can be for the environment.
In conclusion, while teddy bears may be a well-loved product, the impacts of consumerism and manufacturing have resulted in the pollution and toxication of the environment, which shows that teddy bears create an overall excessive amount of waste and pollution. Starting with manufacturers who create and transport the teddy bears far and wide for them to reach the hands of consumers and then eventually get tossed into the trash. As the teddy bear melts away into the environment and contaminates the land with toxic chemicals and microplastics, consumers seem to want more and more, and the industry wants more profit. We have already established the fact that the teddy bear industry creates harmful microplastics, material waste, wastewater, chemical pollution, and lastly air pollution. But all in all, this inevitable result coming from a teddy bear, (which is only enjoyed temporarily by the consumer) does not seem to be worth the accumulating waste and destruction of the environment, which is also harmful to our health. To some extent, we are all remotely responsible for the waste that is released into the environment. Since teddy bears end up creating an abundance of waste at all stages of their life cycle, there must be a better alternative to the way teddy bears are handled and created so that this has less of a detrimental impact on the environment and us. To create less waste, consumers can be more aware of their purchasing habits and bring about a more sustainable consciousness and lifestyle. And if you already own a couple of teddy bears and are thinking about getting rid of them, you could bring on a different way of cherishing them by giving them to friends and family rather than throwing them away. It’s even possible to donate teddy bears or give them to companies such as Loved Before who will repurpose them and find them another home. Additionally, manufacturers should have a responsibility to minimize waste and toxicity from their production processes by using sustainable and biodegradable materials, recycling packaging, and practicing sustainability. (Pierce). Now that we know all of this information, what’s one way that we can reduce waste created by teddy bears and other products we consume in our lifetime? The next time that you buy something, would you decide if this product will be something that is well loved in the long run, or instead tossed in the short run? Considering this way of thinking can save your health, and your wallet, and could save the environment in the long run.
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