📌 Introduction📌
Let’s be real.
Every brand wants to be “sustainable.”
But when it comes to **collectible toys**, most stop at marketing talk.
> “Eco-friendly!”
> “Made with recycled content!”
> “Better for the planet!”
But what does that *actually* mean?
Is it 5% recycled plastic, hidden in the box?
Does it crack after one drop?
Do customers notice — or care?
We’ve been asked this a lot lately.
So we ran a real test:
**Can we use 30% recycled PETG in resin figures — and still deliver strength, finish, and consistency?**
Spoiler: **Yes. But only if you do it right.**
♻️ The Material: 30% rPETG — Where It Comes From
First, what is **rPETG**?
It’s recycled PETG — the same clear, tough plastic used in water bottles, food containers, and medical packaging.
Ours comes from **post-consumer waste in Europe** — sorted, cleaned, and re-pelletized in Germany.
We blend **30% rPETG** with **70% virgin PETG**.
Why 30%?
– High enough to matter for ESG reports
– Low enough to maintain performance
– Meets EU Green Claims Directive thresholds (for now)
We’re not using ocean plastic or 100% recycled — too inconsistent for precision casting.
This is **industrial-grade recycled material**, not a PR stunt.
🔬 The Test: Strength, Finish, and Longevity
We made **two identical figures** — same mold, same design, same process.
Only difference?
– **Batch A**: 100% virgin PETG
– **Batch B**: 70% virgin + 30% rPETG
We tested them on:
1. **Tensile Strength** (How much force before it breaks?)
– Batch A: **52 MPa**
– Batch B: **48.7 MPa**
→ Only **6.3% drop** — still stronger than ABS plastic
> **Factory note**: For a 10cm figure with 2mm wall thickness, this means it survives a 1.2m drop on tile. No problem.
2. **Surface Finish** (Does it look cloudy or streaky?)
– Batch A: Clear, glossy, no defects
– Batch B: Slight haze under direct light — but only if you’re looking for it
We hand-sanded and polished both.
After finishing? **No visible difference** in photos or unboxing videos.
3. **Color Consistency** (Does the recycled content tint the resin?)
– Both batches dyed **matte white**
– Batch A: Pure white
– Batch B: Very slight gray undertone — not noticeable in normal light
> **Pro tip**: Avoid ultra-clear or neon colors with rPETG.
Stick to **mattes, pastels, or dark tones** — they hide minor inconsistencies.
4. **Long-Term Yellowing** (UV exposure test over 30 days)
– Both exposed to 24/7 UV light (equivalent to 2 years of sunlight)
– Result: **No yellowing** in either batch
PETG is naturally UV-stable — unlike ABS
🧪 Real-World Case: “The Terra Gnome” – 500 Units, 30% rPETG
A Dutch eco-brand wanted a **nature-themed blind box** — but with real sustainability, not greenwashing.
We proposed:
– Body: 30% rPETG, matte moss green
– Antlers: 100% virgin PETG (for fine detail)
– Base: FSC-certified wood
– Packaging: Recycled kraft, soy ink
They were nervous.
> “Will it feel cheap? Will it break?”
We ran the tests above. Shared the data.
They agreed.
Result?
– 500 units produced
– 0 defects in casting
– Shipped to 12 countries — no damage reports
– One customer posted: “I love that it’s recycled — but honestly, I wouldn’t have known. It feels solid.”
And the brand used our **tensile strength report** in their ESG deck.
Investors noticed.
🚨 Three Things You Must Get Right
1. **Source Matters**
Not all rPETG is equal.
We tested material from three suppliers:
– **Germany**: Clean, consistent, high melt flow
– **Southeast Asia**: Black specks, inconsistent viscosity
– **North America**: Good, but higher moisture — caused bubbles
We now only use **European-sourced rPETG** — more expensive, but reliable.
2. **Dry It Longer**
Recycled plastic absorbs more moisture.
Standard PETG: dry 4 hours at 60°C
rPETG blend: **dry 8 hours minimum**
Skip this? You get **bubbles, cracks, weak spots**.
We ruined a 200-piece run once. Lesson learned.
3. **Adjust Injection Pressure**
rPETG flows slightly slower.
We increased pressure by **12%** and slowed injection speed.
Result? Full mold fill, no short shots.
💬 Why This Works for ESG-Minded Brands
You don’t have to choose between **planet** and **performance**.
With 30% rPETG:
– **Carbon footprint drops ~22%** (vs. 100% virgin)
– **Mechanical strength stays above 90%**
– **Aesthetic quality? Nearly identical**
– **Cost increase: only ~8%**
And you can **prove it** — with data, not slogans.
One US brand used our test report in their product listing:
> “30% recycled content — tested to 48.7 MPa tensile strength.”
Sales went up **19%** in the first month.
Customers don’t just want “green.”
They want **proof it works**.
✅ Final Thoughts
Can you use 30% recycled PETG in collectible toys?
**Yes.**
But only if:
– You source clean, consistent material
– Adjust drying and injection settings
– Test strength and finish — don’t guess
It’s not a magic bullet.
But it’s a **real step forward** — for the planet and your product.
And when you can show the data?
That’s when sustainability becomes **credible**.
💬 **Launching a sustainable toy line?**
Are you using recycled materials?
What’s holding you back — cost, quality, or supply?
Drop a comment. I’ll share what we’ve learned — straight from the factory floor.
Let’s build collectibles that last — and don’t cost the earth.
