Matchbox Going Green, Plus Adding Tesla Roadster

• Finally, a Tesla Roadster affordable for the masses

• Matchbox going green with new packaging and materials for toys

There’s a Tesla Roadster coming for 2022 that we know nearly everyone will be able to afford. It will also be the first carbon-neutral version of a Tesla, with 99 percent of its materials recycled to create it. How are they doing it? Because this one’s from Matchbox and it will come through a new effort from Mattel to lower its environmental footprint going forward.

The Matchbox Tesla Roadster is the first die-cast from the brand to be made from 99 percent recycled materials. That includes recycled zinc, recycled steel, and recycled plastics. Mattel says its goal is to have 100 percent recycled, recyclable, or bio-based plastics in all of its products and packaging by 2030. The brand is also planning more eco-friendly and innovative materials in its playsets and packaging while offering more electric vehicle toys for kids to play with.

Accompanying the Tesla Roadster are photos of a Tesla Semi toy, BMW i3 and i8, and other Telsa models. The Matchbox gas station even comes with a Level 3 electric car fast-charging station (no, not a real charging station, though that would make a cool phone charger).

“Since the inception of the modern-day die-cast car nearly 70 years ago, Matchbox has been using design and innovation to connect kids with the real world around them through play,” said Roberto Stanichi, Global Head of Vehicles at Mattel. “Matchbox is committing to using 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials to do our part in addressing the environmental issues we face today, and empower the next generation of Matchbox fans to help steer us towards a sustainable future.”

The Matchbox Tesla Roadster will go on sale in 2022, while the real thing may or may not. In the meantime, Matchbox Power Grabs will be offered with zero plastic packaging while an EV pack is now offered with a paper foam inner tray.