How long until Action Figures Are Extinct? By Hervé St-Louis Jun 28, 2008 - 11:44:12 AM

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Can the rising price of gas discourage the production of collectors’ action figures and other toys?

Action figures and most toys are made of plastics. Collectors’ action figures tend to be composites of PVC materials. PVC is made from ethylene and caustic chlorine. In turn, ethylene is made from ethane which is stripped away from natural gas. Ethylene and chlorine are often made in plants powered by methane and other gas products. Thus, when the price of gas increases, the price to obtain material to create action figures and to power the plants that make them increases.

Action figures manufacturers have in the past been affected by the rising cost of gas. For example, the oil shocks of the 1970s encouraged toy manufacturer Hasbro to reduce the size of its popular G.I. Joe action figures from twelve-inches to 3 ¾ inches. Subsequently, only collectors’ items with larger prices points aimed at adult collectors have remained as twelve inches G.I. Joe action figures.

Before we all start panicking about toy scarcity, one must recognize that several steps must be taken before such a scenario happens.

Recycle

The use of alternative material to create plastic is probably better. Biodegradable plastics made from corn are already used to make cutlery. It seems that the plastic will only degrade when put in a specific composting environment. That means that the potential for action figures to degrade may be lessened unless one wants to destroy them. Such alternatives would also leave less pollution on the planet.

Reuse

Perhaps it is time for large action figures vendors such as Hasbro and Mattel to start collecting broken toys and parts from collectors and the basements of empty nest parents all over North America so they can reuse them as material to create more toys.  Instead of ending in dumps on the outskirts of town, old broken toys could be reused to make new ones. Money incentives may even encourage action figure collectors to return them.

One caveat is that not all plastics are easily reusable. Perhaps it is time for manufacturers to use plastics that can be turned into other plastics later.

As the price of gas increases, the price of toys will increase too, although toy manufacturers may hold on into asking consumers to bear the full increases. After all, toys are a commodity. How much consumers are willing to pay for various toys will determine how much manufacturers are willing to charge for their toys.

Reduce

Companies with plants in China must be more effective at producing action figures and other plastic products for a lesser cost and a lesser polluting fingerprint on the environment.

Another thing manufacturers can do is determine with more precision exactly what toys they should be making as to avoid producing stuff that stays on the peg holes of stores all over North America, until they are sold at a discount to make place for new material. Do kids and collectors really need glow in the dark neon coloured scuba Batman action figures?

Manufacturers should probably reduce how many action figures they produce and start implementing custom production methods and plants closer to their target markets. For example, in a few years, the technology to develop 3D scanned action figures and other toys will become available to the public. Using prints from a vendor, action figure collectors will be able to replicate their prints in their own 3D scanners. That would eliminate most of the transportation costs and the Christmas lock up that occur as entire nations wait for the ship from China with the latest action figures in its haul.

There are many solutions for action figure collectors and vendors to reduce how much gas is consumed in the production and collection of action figures. Many little steps can be done to ensure that collectors and kids all over the world continue to enjoy their toys. For example, if you are going to a store to pick up some new action figures today, why don’t you ride your bicycle or use public transit instead of taking your car? The experience will worth it and it will also give you a little health boost along the way.

Sources: Gas Usage & Value: The Technology and Economics of Natural Gas Use in the Process Industries, Duncan Seddon, Penwell Books, 2006.

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