An Approach for Designing a More Sustainable Toy Through Modularity and Multiple Functions

Abstract

Mass-produced and manufactured plastic goods have contributed a significant amount to the climate crisis. These goods provide little meaning to consumers who buy them as cheap alternatives or quick solutions. Poorly made plastic toys with no playability beyond their often licensed appearances contribute little to no purpose to a child’s development, usually ending their life cycle in landfills once they are no longer relevant. As there are no clear guidelines for creating a truly modular and adaptable toy system in pursuit of sustainability and playability, toys must be able to adapt to children as they age to provide more value and to combat the unnecessary discarding of goods. General principles of modularity, material reduction, and product simplification can be utilized in conjunction with relevant guidelines to help create toys for children’s development. To establish a set of rules for designing sustainable, modular toys, an approach must include knowledge of how to manage resources effectively, how to encourage creative play, and most importantly how to develop products that evolve with users.