Frozen 2 ‘Into the Unknown’ Elsa Doll is the third must-have toy on the annual Toymakers’ Association Christmas list
Disney has been accused of ‘hypocrisy’ as they ‘pump out’ plastic toys to market the film Frozen where the main characters battle it out to save the humanity.
The film raked in $1.3billion at the box office in 2013 and this has risen to $107.2billion from the figurines and licensing segment of entertainment.
Frozen 2 ‘Into the Unknown’ Elsa Doll, which is made of plastic, is the third must-have toy on the annual Toymakers’ Association Christmas list this year.
The fantasy doll, costing £39.99, has already sold out in many places including John Lewis.
Julian Kirby, plastics pollution campaigner with Friends of The Earth, told the Telegraph how the film has a ‘strongly progressive narrative’ which appeals equally to adults as main characters Elsa and Anna have to children.
He said: ‘If the franchise wants to keep inspiring young audiences it should recognise that anti-pollution messages will chime with them far more than pumping out another predictable range of plastic destined for landfill.
Disney has been accused of ‘hypocrisy’ for pumping out plastic dolls and toys to market the film which features a message ‘save our planet’. The film raked in $1.3billion at the box office in 2013 and this has risen to $107.2billion from the figurines and licensing segment of entertainment
‘Disney has spoken about reducing their environmental impact so cutting out frivolous plastic would be a positive step on their way to sustainability.’
The Frozen toys feature lights and sound which makes them even more difficult to dispose of, according to The Recycling Association chief executive Simon Ellin.
He admitted not wanting to be a ‘Scrooge at Christmas and spoil the fun of children’ but more attention needs to be given to people buying non-recyclable toys.
There is an inconsistency between local authorities taking them at household waste recycling centres and the mixture of plastics in the toys make it tricky to dispose of them in an eco-friendly way.
Frozen contains a ‘strongly progressive narrative’ which appeals equally to adults as main characters Elsa and Anna have to children. Parents feel the underlying message is a direct contrast to a ‘tsunami of plastic tat’ toy’
The new Frozen 2 Sven toy is unveiled alongside over 100 other new products as part of Disney’s #FrozenFanFest in London on October 2. The toys often include sound or lights which make them difficult to recycle, according to The Recycling Association chief executive Simon Ellin
Mr Ellin has advised packaging designers on using one recyclable plastic and now hopes toy designers will look into other ways for Christmas next year.
‘When the toy goes out of fashion, that way it can be easily recycled.’
He added: ‘Again, design has to ensure the toys are safe, but that the electronics can be easily removed for recycling separately.’
Parents have shared their concern about the discrepancy between the film’s message and their marketing.
Anne Cook, a grandmother who runs the Thames Valley Rotary Club said Disney has ‘licensed a tsunami of plastic tat as money making mechandise’.
Annie Bannister, a mother and teacher, added: ‘It’s a film basically focusing on the destruction of the environment…..yet is plastic merch central! But, yes, I have bought Frozen toys for Christmas.’
