The Energon Pub

Hasbro will begin phasing out plastic from their packaging beginning in 2020. That includes polybags, elastic bands, shrink wrap, window sheets and blister packs, all to be phased out from new product releases by 2022. At the top of the press release it mentions products such as Nerf, My Little Pony, Monopoly, Magic: The Gathering, and Power Rangers, but does not state Transformers. This appears to be just a cursory listing of their products and does not specifically exclude Transformers.

Here's the press release from Hasbro - it's important to note at the end that we know with 100% certainty that this TerraCycle project does involve Transformers toys so these changes will be seen in our fandom at some point. TerraCyle recycles all forms of toys for reuse in various ways as described in the press release excerpt listed below.
From the press release:
"Reimagining and redesigning packaging across our brand portfolio is a complex undertaking, but we believe it’s important and our teams are up for the challenge,” said John Frascotti, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hasbro. “We know consumers share our commitment to protecting the environment, and we want families to feel good knowing that our packaging will be virtually plastic-free, and our products can be easily recycled through our Toy Recycling Program with TerraCycle*.”
Hasbro’s Toy Recycling Program enables consumers to send well-loved Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, a global leader in product recycling, who will recycle them into materials to be used in the construction of play spaces, flowerpots, park benches, and other innovative uses. Hasbro recently announced the expansion of the program to France, Germany and Brazil, and plans to expand the program to additional markets with the goal of ensuring all Hasbro toys and games are recyclable in the major markets where it does business."

Read the full press release below.

"Beginning in 2020, Hasbro will begin phasing out plastic from new toy and game packaging across its portfolio of iconic brands like NERF, MY LITTLE PONY, MONOPOLY, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and POWER RANGERS
PAWTUCKET, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 20, 2019-- Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) announced today that, beginning in 2020, it plans to begin phasing out plastic from new product packaging, including plastic elements like polybags, elastic bands, shrink wrap, window sheets and blister packs. The company’s ambition is to eliminate virtually all plastic in packaging for new products by the end of 2022.
“Removing plastic from our packaging is the latest advancement in our more than decade-long journey to create a more sustainable future for our business and our world,” said Brian Goldner, Chairman and CEO, Hasbro. “We have an experienced, cross-functional team in place to manage the complexity of this undertaking and will look to actively engage employees, customers, and partners as we continue to innovate and drive progress as a leader in sustainability.”
Hasbro has a long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, from eliminating wire ties in 2010 and adding How2Recycle® labeling in 2016, to the use of plant-based bioPET in 2018, and most recently, launching an industry-leading toy recycling program with TerraCycle®. Hasbro’s Sustainability Center of Excellence is charged with driving the integration of sustainability across the business, including driving sustainable packaging design principles.
“Reimagining and redesigning packaging across our brand portfolio is a complex undertaking, but we believe it’s important and our teams are up for the challenge,” said John Frascotti, President and Chief Operating Officer, Hasbro. “We know consumers share our commitment to protecting the environment, and we want families to feel good knowing that our packaging will be virtually plastic-free, and our products can be easily recycled through our Toy Recycling Program with TerraCycle*.”
Hasbro’s Toy Recycling Program enables consumers to send well-loved Hasbro toys and games to TerraCycle, a global leader in product recycling, who will recycle them into materials to be used in the construction of play spaces, flowerpots, park benches, and other innovative uses. Hasbro recently announced the expansion of the program to France, Germany and Brazil, and plans to expand the program to additional markets with the goal of ensuring all Hasbro toys and games are recyclable in the major markets where it does business.
To learn more about Hasbro's sustainability efforts, visit http://www.hasbro.com/csr and read our CSR Report, Playing with Purpose."

Not a fan of open packaging because I like to use my packaging for moving, but if it's just going to be Masterpiece-style packaging then I'm down for that.

I’m glad they’re doing this... every little helps. They already reduced some packaging volume...

Good. I've wanted them to ditch the plastic for ages. Not just for environmental reasons but I would far prefer a card tray that can be untabbed and flattened tidily like the box itself can for storage reasons and then retabbed and reformed for when you might need them again. Got a whole closet full of Studio Series boxes I like to keep cos they look nice and they are storing all the nice background display stands too, all of which could be flattened much more if not for those plastic trays.

I thought they were bringing in paper ties to secure the figures to the trays anyways. There definitely was a stage where they did use paper ones but all the newly released figures I've bought for a while now been using plastic ones.

Great on Hasbro's part!
But how will this new packaging look like?

TulioDude wrote:Great on Hasbro's part!
But how will this new packaging look like?

Cyber series

You all do realize this is bad for collectors right? If its a fully enclosed box then theres not way to see the figure before you buy, with hasbros terrible quality control this is very bad. You wont be able to tell if the figure is missing anything, if it has defects or is assembled wrong, all bad for collectors and to an extent everyone. If they do open boxes this is just as bad cause theres no protection for the figure making damage much more likely plus you have no idea how many people touched the figure before you, that doesnt sit right with me. Im all for saving the environment but they can find better ways to do it that doesnt potentially screw over their consumers.

Megatron Wolf wrote:You all do realize this is bad for collectors right? If its a fully enclosed box then theres not way to see the figure before you buy, with hasbros terrible quality control this is very bad. You wont be able to tell if the figure is missing anything, if it has defects or is assembled wrong, all bad for collectors and to an extent everyone.

Siege quality has been above par so far, with only... 2 major issues so far (first run Starscream and the current Slamdance)? Besides, you run into the same risks ordering online, no matter what packaging is used.

If they do open boxes this is just as bad cause theres no protection for the figure making damage much more likely plus you have no idea how many people touched the figure before you, that doesnt sit right with me. Im all for saving the environment but they can find better ways to do it that doesnt potentially screw over their consumers.

That I agree with you there, with the RiD/TLK/Cyberverse One-Steps and Cyberverse Ultra Class scaring me. Plus, it makes theft easier, especially in the discount chains (I've seen things... bad things).

Time will tell what Hasbro will come up with.

It’s cool that Hasbro is doing this, but without windows to see the figure I’d be concerned about repackers.

frogbat wrote:I’m glad they’re doing this... every little helps. They already reduced some packaging volume...

"Every little bit helps" is slacktivist pomposity of the highest order.

Every little bit helps? Great. Buy less toys, that will help. How many less toys will you commit to buying this year to help?

FellintoOblivion wrote:

frogbat wrote:I’m glad they’re doing this... every little helps. They already reduced some packaging volume...

"Every little bit helps" is slacktivist pomposity of the highest order.

Every little bit helps? Great. Buy less toys, that will help. How many less toys will you commit to buying this year to help?

How much pollution are you creating being on line right now? Cell phone? Home computer? How do you get around town? I don’t care I’m just making a point.

They didn’t say they hope and pray the landfills will reduce themselves.

People who lash out like you just did usually are hurting in some way. If that’s the case I’m sorry friend. Try to Spend your finite non-recyclable personal energy making a better positive point instead of kicking someone’s positive attitude down. It’s better for your mental health and watch real change happen.