Sofia Martinez
L.O.L Surprise Dolls have become a popular toy for children, with their iconic pink plastic balls housing a small mystery doll and its accessories. However, in 2022, the brand announced a shift to eco-friendliness, replacing the plastic balls with heavy-duty paper alternatives. This move is estimated to eliminate three metric tons of plastic from production, equivalent to 200,000 plastic water bottles. While the new packaging is more environmentally conscious, it raises questions about the recyclability of the previous plastic balls and the overall complexity of toy design. With plastic accounting for 90% of the toy market, the transition to eco-friendly materials is a welcome step towards sustainability.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Plastic |
| Recyclability | Recyclable through TerraCycle |
| Shape | Spherical, cylindrical |
| Colors | Pink, sky blue, mint, gold, light green, pastel yellow, blue, turquoise |
| Layers | Multiple |
| Patterns | Various |
| Use | Packaging for L.O.L. Surprise dolls, carrying cases, bath toys, juggling balls, storage containers |
| Replacement | Paper balls |
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What You'll Learn
L.O.L. Surprise replaced plastic balls with paper ones
L.O.L. Surprise! is a popular toy brand, with their iconic plastic balls being instantly recognisable to children all over the world. In April 2022, the company announced that they would be replacing their plastic balls with heavy-duty paper balls. This change will be implemented gradually, with the goal of replacing all plastic balls by 2025. The new paper balls are part of the brand's commitment to sustainability and will be introduced with the launch of the L.O.L. Surprise Earth Love Dolls.
The L.O.L. Surprise! balls are small, spherical containers that house a mystery doll or pet and its accessories. The unboxing experience is a key part of the toy's appeal, with children delighting in the surprise of popping open the ball and discovering the toys inside. While the new paper balls will maintain this exciting unboxing experience, they will also reduce the environmental impact of the product.
The switch to paper balls is expected to eliminate three metric tons of plastic from the company's production in 2022 alone. This is the equivalent of about 200,000 plastic water bottles or 7 million single-use plastic straws. By transitioning to more sustainable materials, the company is not only reducing its own carbon footprint but also encouraging conversations about environmentalism and sustainability with families around the world.
In addition to the new paper balls, L.O.L. Surprise! has implemented other eco-friendly initiatives. At their California headquarters, they have replaced plastic water bottles with water filtration systems and use bamboo or recycled paper products for utensils, plates and supplies. The company also encourages employees to drive electric cars by providing free charging stations.
The replacement of plastic balls with paper ones is a positive step towards sustainability and environmental responsibility. While the iconic pink plastic balls were beloved by children, the new paper balls maintain the surprise and delight of the unboxing experience while reducing the amount of plastic waste. This change demonstrates L.O.L. Surprise!'s commitment to creating innovative and exciting products while also considering the impact on the environment.
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TerraCycle's recycling program for old L.O.L. plastic containers
The iconic pink plastic balls from L.O.L. Surprise dolls are being replaced with eco-friendly, heavy-duty paper balls. This change is being gradually implemented, with the brand aiming to replace all plastic balls by 2025.
With this shift, parents can feel less guilty about the environmental impact of the containers that pile up as children collect the dolls. However, for those who already have accumulated plastic L.O.L. balls, TerraCycle offers a recycling program.
TerraCycle is an organization dedicated to recycling hard-to-recycle materials and offers national recycling programs for various products and packaging. They have developed solutions to recycle the unrecyclable and work with companies to make their products reusable or locally recyclable.
To recycle old L.O.L. plastic containers through TerraCycle, you need to follow these steps:
- Sign up and create an account with TerraCycle.
- Gather all the L.O.L. Surprise doll packaging you want to recycle.
- Download a free shipping label from the TerraCycle website.
- Send the packaging to TerraCycle using the shipping label.
- TerraCycle will melt down the metal and pelletize the plastic for recycling.
By participating in this program, you can properly dispose of the plastic containers and contribute to reducing plastic waste. Additionally, TerraCycle offers rewards for participating in their recycling programs, which can be put toward good causes, such as protecting natural parks.
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Plastic balls are hard plastic, so they can be reused
Plastic balls, such as the ones used for L.O.L. Surprise dolls, are typically made of hard plastic. These plastic balls can be reused in various creative ways, and their durable nature makes them ideal for repurposing. While the specific type of plastic used in L.O.L. Surprise balls is not publicly available, hard plastics like polypropylene (PP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are commonly used in packaging and are recyclable.
Hard plastic materials, including those used for L.O.L. Surprise balls, can be reused and repurposed for a variety of applications. Their sturdy construction makes them versatile for different activities and crafts. For example, sealed L.O.L. Surprise balls can be used for games like hot potato or juggling. They can also be utilised as bath toys, either as-is or with modifications like adding a fun sponge inside.
The balls can be glued shut and used as containers for small items or turned into unique cookie cutters for baking projects. With some creativity, they can even be transformed into Halloween-themed fun balls or used for educational purposes, such as teaching colours, shapes, numbers, or letters. These are just a few examples of how the hard plastic balls can be reused and given a new purpose.
While the exact type of plastic used for L.O.L. Surprise balls is not specified, it is likely a commonly used plastic that can be recycled. Polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) are two examples of widely used plastics in packaging that are accepted at most recycling centres. However, it's important to note that despite the recyclability of these plastics, the recycling rates for PP and HDPE remain low, with only around 1-3% of PP being recycled in the US.
To address the environmental concerns associated with plastic waste, companies like L.O.L. Surprise are transitioning to more sustainable alternatives. In 2022, the brand announced that they would replace their iconic pink plastic balls with eco-friendly heavy-duty paper balls for their L.O.L. Surprise Earth Love Dolls. This change is expected to eliminate three metric tons of plastic from their production, equivalent to about 200,000 plastic water bottles.
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L.O.L. plastic balls are pink
L.O.L. Surprise Balls were small plastic spheres that contained mystery dolls, pets, and accessories. They were covered in layers of colourful plastic and featured different patterns. The balls came in various colours, including pink, sky blue, mint, gold, light green, pastel yellow, blue, and turquoise.
The L.O.L. Surprise Balls were made of hard plastic, which made them durable and suitable for various creative uses after the toys inside were unboxed. However, the plastic balls were not environmentally friendly, and in 2022, the company announced a change to their iconic design. Starting with the L.O.L. Surprise Earth Love Dolls, the plastic balls were replaced with heavy-duty paper balls, reducing plastic waste by an estimated three metric tons.
Despite the move towards eco-friendliness, some consumers expressed a preference for the pink plastic balls. The balls were not only aesthetically pleasing to young fans but also served as containers for storage and craft projects. Various online sources offered ideas for reusing the plastic balls, such as creating Halloween-themed fun balls, using them for bath time play, or incorporating them into games like hot potato and juggling.
While the switch to paper balls reduces plastic waste, it also highlights the challenge of managing the plastic waste generated by the toy industry. Many toys are made from non-recyclable plastic, contributing to environmental concerns. Some companies, like Green Toys, have committed to using 100% recycled plastic in their products, while programmes like TerraCycle offer recycling options for specific toy brands, including L.O.L. Surprise Balls.
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L.O.L. balls are sealed and used in games
L.O.L. Surprise Dolls are popular toys for children, featuring small dolls or pets and their accessories hidden inside pink plastic balls. While the toys are a hit with kids, the plastic balls are often seen as unnecessary waste. However, the hard plastic used in these balls makes them ideal for various games and activities, providing hours of fun for children beyond just the toy itself.
One way to reuse L.O.L. balls is to seal them and play a game of hot potato, where players toss the ball around, and the first person to drop it loses. This game can be made more challenging by using multiple balls. The same sealed balls can also be used for juggling practice, providing an opportunity for children to develop coordination skills.
For a creative twist, the balls can be filled with treats or small gifts and used for a treasure hunt or Easter egg-style game. This adds an element of surprise and delight, especially when used for birthday parties or holiday celebrations. The balls can also be glued shut and used as bath toys, creating a fun bath time experience for children.
In addition to games, the balls can be used for arts and crafts. For example, they can be cut in half and used as cookie cutters, or as tracing tools to draw perfect circles. By repurposing the balls, parents can reduce waste and encourage creativity in their children.
While the plastic L.O.L. balls have been a signature part of the toy's appeal, the brand has recognized the environmental impact of plastic waste. As a result, they have started transitioning to eco-friendly paper balls for their L.O.L. Surprise Earth Love Dolls. This change not only reduces plastic waste but also teaches children about sustainability and the importance of caring for the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
It is not clear what kind of plastic is used to make LOL balls. However, it is known that the dolls themselves are made from hard plastic.
Real LOL dolls do not contain plastics that are generally harmful to children. However, it is not recommended that children allow their dolls to drink water.
The majority of LOL dolls and their packaging are not recyclable. However, you can recycle LOL doll packaging through TerraCycle.
In 2022, the brand announced that they would be replacing their plastic balls with eco-friendly, heavy-duty paper balls.
