TOY FAIR NEW YORK PUTS SAFETY FIRST FOR 2022
Mattel launches Playback programmme A survey of 2,000 British parents conducted by OnePoll last month has revealed that children received an average of 10 new toys each this Christmas - with 57% of parents worrying what would happen to their kids’ pre-loved toys after the festive period. The study, which was commissioned by Mattel, also showed that 64% of parents wished they had more opportunities to recycle their kids’ toys. In addition, 75% planned to declutter their kids’ bedrooms during the festive break, while 50% have made a New Year’s Resolution to live more sustainably in 2022, with recycling the most popular option to achieve this. To help parents achieve these goals, Mattel has launched #TaptoRebox with Mattel Playback: a toy takeback programme that enables families to extend the life of their Mattel toys once they have finished playing with them. The scheme is designed to recover and reuse materials from old Mattel toys, and supports the company’s goal to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials across all products and packaging by 2030. Mattel is also teaming up with professional declutterer and life coach Kate Ibbotson, founder of organisational service A Tidy Mind, to provide decluttering, donating, and recycling tips to UK parents. To participate in the Mattel PlayBack programme, consumers can visit www2.mattel.com/en-gb/playback, print a free shipping label, and pack and mail their outgrown Mattel toys back to Mattel. The toys will be sorted and separated by material type and responsibly processed and recycled. For materials that cannot be repurposed as recycled content, Mattel will either downcycle those materials or convert them from waste to energy. The programme currently accepts Barbie, Matchbox and MEGA Last month Mattel toys, with more delivered a lorry-load brands to be added of toys to its local in the future. The #TapToRebox Salvation Army branch in campaign will also Slough for the charitable be launched in other organisation’s Christmas European countries to encourage Present Appeal. More parents to donate than 1,000 toys, including or recycle old toys, Barbie, Fisher-Price, Hot with influencers and parents signing up Wheels and Thomas & to the scheme in the Friends, were distributed UK, Germany and France. to families.
With Toy Fair New York just a month away, the show’s organiser the U.S. Toy Association is continuing to work in accordance with all city, state, and venue regulations to ensure a safe environment for attendees to explore and do business, says senior advisor, strategic communications Kristin Morency Goldman Toy Fair New York, which takes place from February 19 to February 22 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will follow the city’s indoor activity guidelines and the venue’s own policy requiring proof of vaccination for admission to events. “We know how eager the global play community is to come back together live and in person at Toy Fair,” said Kimberly Carcone, senior vice president of global market events at the U.S. Toy Association, producer of Toy Fair New York. “And while we are focused on offering our guests even more opportunities to connect, engage, and learn, our number one priority continues to be the health, safety, and security of all Toy Fair participants.” In addition to adhering to all state and local guidelines and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for masking and other safety protocols, the U.S. Toy Association is providing international guests with the following information to help plan ahead: ■ U pon entry to Toy Fair, all attendees will be required to show proof of vaccination, along with photo ID. Participants are highly encouraged to download the NYC COVID Safe app and complete the Photo ID and Vaccine Verification before arriving at Toy Fair New York to expediate the process. ■ G uests can feel confident in the precautions being taken by the Javits Center, which has received Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) accreditation for implementing the industry’s highest standards for cleaning and disinfection of infectious agents like the coronavirus. The Center has also installed hospital-grade High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to improve air filtration and ventilation. The entire volume of air within the building is completely changed five times per day.
“We know how eager the global play community is to come back together live and in person at Toy Fair”
■ W hen booking your hotel for Toy Fair New York, be sure to check the Covid requirements with the hotel of your choosing. Many New York City hotels, restaurants, and entertainment facilities have their own requirements regarding proof of vaccination. ■ T he New York Marriott Marquis, venue of the Toy of the Year Awards (TOTY), which take place on February 18, will require proof of vaccination (with a valid form of identification) for admission, in accordance with New York City policy. ■ T o stay informed about the latest news, programming, and safety protocols at Toy Fair, visit www.ToyFairNY.com. ■ Read our Special Report on Toy Fair New York on page 122.
JANUARY 2022
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