Barbie™ BCause Collection Reuses and Repurposes Excess Barbie™ Fabrics and Trimmings to Create Accessories

I don't see how this move by Mattel couldn't be smarter. Reusing materials to create a whole new line? That saves a lot of time and money. Mattel skips buying new material and disposal fee while opening a new line of products at full price.

"Barbie is always a reflection of current cultural trends and issues, and girls are increasingly aware of making a green statement," said Richard Dickson, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Media and Entertainment, Worldwide, Mattel Brands. "Barbie BCause is for eco-conscious girls who believe that being environmentally-friendly is the right thing to do, and we are thrilled to give extra meaning and extra style to what was once just extra Barbie doll fabric."

The Barbie™ BCause collection is available now at Toys"R"Us stores nationwide in the Barbie® toy aisle for suggested retail prices ranging from $5.99 to $19.99 each.

Roll Case - $19.99
Tote Bags - $9.99
Hobo Purses - $10.99
Messenger Bags - $11.99
Coin Purses - $5.99
Diaries - $9.99
Mini-Backpack -- $9.99
Cosmetic Case -- $12.99
Hats -- $9.99
Pillows -- $9.99

- Mattel, Inc. Press Release

What does this mean for energy? Well, all the energy saved from making and transporting fresh textiles. We also avoid more dyes and chemicals released into the environment.

I just quickly tried to get some numbers on energy saved from reuse and recycle of other products....

While using scrap paper can save from 25 percent to 45 percent in energy consumption, and steel scrap can save 60 percent on energy, users of aluminum scrap claim a 95 percent energy savings over the mining, screening, smelting and refining processes used to make primary aluminum.

On its Web site, the International Aluminium Institute, London, states, "The recycling of aluminum requires only 5 percent of the energy to produce secondary metal as compared to primary metal and generates only 5 percent of the green house gas emissions."

Of course, then there's the question of the other materials to make those new lines of diaries and bags. Overall, the reuse in a DIFFERENT context adds materials. What is the net result?