Design Life-Cycle

Jasmine Griffin 

Dr. Christina Cogdell 

DES 040A

16 February 2026

Waste and Pollution Analysis: SKULLPANDA You Found Me! Series

Introduction

Opening a blind box provides a short-term thrill at the cost of long-term environmental consequences that are hidden from consumers. SKULLPANDA, manufactured by the company Pop Mart, is one of the company’s most popular designer toy lines. Xio Mang is the concept designer of one of the SKULLPANDA series: “You Found Me!” It comes in a blind box, where consumers do not know which collectible they will get. Despite their artistic elements and consumer appeal, they are primarily made of nonbiodegradable materials, raising environmental concerns. The plush dolls appeal to consumers due to their source of dopamine rush and aesthetic; however, they are highly wasteful. From the extraction process of raw materials to the end of the doll’s life cycle, waste and emissions are accumulated at a substantial rate. This paper will examine the seven stages of the SKULLPANDA You Found Me! Serie’s life cycle: raw material acquisition, product manufacturing and packaging, transportation and distribution, use, and disposal. 

Raw Material Acquisition

Before the plush dolls are ready for consumers, extraction for raw materials and the processing of these products take place. The main materials for the product are made primarily from PVC, ABS plastics, and polyester, which comes from crude oils, mainly petroleum. The extraction of petroleum leads to crude oil waste and emissions. Oil spills occur during the extraction process, drilling, or during the transportation of the oil. Soil contamination occurs during this process due to “sporadic discharge and dumping of hydrocarbon and petroleum wastes,” according to an article by Sattar. Not only this, petroleum waste is volatile as well and affects the air quality, which leads to air pollution (1-2). Water waste may also occur during the extraction process if hydraulic fracking occurs. According to the EIA, fracking produces large amounts of wastewater that may contain dissolved chemicals and contaminants, requiring treatment. Furthermore, refining petroleum occurs through distillation, cracking, and treatment. Refining produces greenhouse gases since crude oil is heated during the distillation process. 

Polyvinyl chloride, PVC, is a plastic made from polymerized molecules of vinyl chloride monomer. It is processed through a chemical manufacturing process, with the primary inputs being salt. Salt provides chloride and hydrocarbon feedstocks coming from oil or natural gas, which creates ethylene. These turn into vinyl chloride monomer, which is then polymerized to create PVC resin, the foundation of vinyl compounds. The steam cracking process, where ethylene is produced, generates substantial carbon dioxide. The furnaces used in this process are generally gas-fired, leading to greenhouse gas emissions. Waste streams are also produced, which include acid gases, wastewater, and solid particulates. Additionally, by-products of PVC production are highly persistent. The chemical mixtures produced in the synthesis of EDC and VCM includes hazardous and long-lived pollutants as the chlorinated dioxins (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins), chlorinated furans (polychlorinated dibenzofurans), PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and octachlorostyrene (OCS) chemicals that have not yet been identified or tested (Thornton ix).

ABS is a product of the systematic polymerization of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Two phases of the ABS terpolymer, which include a continuous phase of styrene-acrylonitrile and a dispersed phase of polybutadiene (Olivera et al. 3658). ABS production relies on non-renewable petroleum, and manufacturing contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Monomer purification, for example, is  a process in the production of ABS, which releases emissions such as air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, waste is generated, such as scraps and process emissions. 

Polyester is a synthetic fabric. It starts with ethylene, which is derived from petroleum, and it is then formed through a chemical reaction with two monomers: dicarboxylic acid and diol (Science Directory). The use of these chemicals leads to pollution from greenhouse gases and volatile organic compounds if it is not managed well. Additionally, the washing of these products leads to the release of microfibers, which are tiny particles of plastic that end up in bodies of water. When these materials are extracted and processed, they enter the manufacturing and packaging stage.

Manufacturing and Packaging Process

The manufacturing and packaging processes are not operated by Pop Mart. Its products are manufactured through outsourcing, with their supply chain distributed across multiple cities in China (Plastmatch). This alone increases the amount of greenhouse gas emissions significantly during the manufacturing process as vehicles untitled diesel fuel or gasoline, based on their engine type. However, even more waste and emissions are accumulated from the injection process, finishing touches, and packaging.

Polyester is used for the stuffing and fluffy exteriors of these dolls. Polyester is turned into a polyester fiber. Raw materials, primarily petroleum, undergo polymerization where molecules are chemically bonded into long polyester chains. Through esterification and polycondensation reactions, polyester polymer met forms. Then the polymer is extruded through a spinneret which forms into a continuous polyester filament. After spinning, they go into a mechanical stretching process, then the fibers get crimped (Daxin Fiber). Fossil fuels are used during this process to produce heat and pressure. Waste is generated through this process, including water, through toxic chemicals, and green house gas emissions. 

The synthetic polyester fiber and fabric then need to be dyed to give the plush doll vibrancy. Although there are no official statements of what synthetic dyes are used in the production of the plush dolls, it can be assumed that they use Azo dyes since they account for 65% of the commercial dye market (Guilherme et al. 1). When polyester fabric is washed and rinsed after dying, tiny plastic fibres called microplastics are released. According to the United Nations, textile dyeing releases heavy metals and other toxins into bodies of water. Additionally, the wet processing includes the pretreatment, dyeing, and finishing. This contributes to discharging a large volume of coloured wastewater into water bodies. (Ardila et al. 1). Furthermore, the typical pretreatment operation before coloring synthetic fabrics incorporates heat setting, which leads to emissions of carbon dioxide. 

In an article published by SZRDDM, they state that the manufacturing process of art toys can be divided into polishing, spraying, coloring by hand, and finally assembly of each part of the plush doll. The colors in these stages are primarily used with acrylic, a synthetic polymer made from petroleum or coal-based polymer. In order to create the shells of the SKULLPANA doll, a vinyl injection molding process occurs. Vinyl is a manufacturing process in which a colloid, a PVC material, is evenly applied to the inside of a mold. After colloidal PVC is put into the mold and the mold is closed, the mold is placed in a high temperature oven and rotated. It is then removed from the mold after cooling (Yanglin). The manufacturing process leads to significant amounts of plastic scrap, which may be difficult to recycle. The plastic waste might end up in landfills, and unfortunately, PVC is non-biodegradable, which takes hundreds of years to disintegrate, leading to pollution (Microsystems). Furthermore, the spray painting process emits volatile organic compounds, which are hazardous air pollutants. 

After the plush dolls are put together, they are placed into a plastic bag and then placed into a box, made from 100% recyclable corrugated paper, paper containing mainly cellulose fiber from trees. There are no reports on what material the plastic bag is made of, but plastic bags are typically created with polyethylene, a polymeric material created through the polymerization process of ethylene. Once packaged, the SKULLPANDA collectibles are transported, which leads to more carbon emissions. 

Transportation, Distribution, Use, and Disposal 

When the plush doll is finished, they are ready to be distributed. Pop Mart is a global enterprise, meaning their products are shipped all across the world to distributors and customers, releasing copious amounts of greenhouse gas emissions as a result of petroleum-based fuel. 

Once a customer obtains a mystery box, the life cycle does not end there. The plush dolls are collectibles and not necessarily functional; consumer psychology encourages repeated purchases. In an article from the University of California, Irvine’s Official Campus News, they state, “Purchasing collectibles en masse negatively impacts the environment due to the level of production that is required for large inputs of energy, which generates a surplus of waste. Plastic packaging, often discarded immediately, is the dominant source of plastic waste” (Ogasawara). Plastic packaging is often biodegradable. As a result, they do not decompose and instead accumulate in landfills unless they undergo thermal treatment through combustion or pyrolysis. Open burning, a common way of discarding plastic, is a significant source of air pollution as they release a significant amount of black carbon. Polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dioxins, and furans are some of the most common toxic chemicals released into the air when plastic waste is burned (Wadhwa). If they end up at landfills instead of being burned like the majority of post-consumer plastics, they release harmful by-products such as greenhouse gases, particulate matter, heavy metals, and micro-plastics (Pang et al. 14978). Beyond the plastic waste, the corrugated paper and other packaging materials are likely to be thrown away. The majority of paper and cardboard in the world ends up in landfills. In the United States, of the approximately 110 million tons of paper and cardboard waste managed in 2019, approximately 56% was landfilled, 6% was combusted, and 38% was recycled (Milbrandt et al. 21). 

The use and end part of the plush doll life cycle depends on what the consumer decides to do with the collectibles. The majority of consumers will keep their dolls, and may decide to pass it on. However, if a consumer decides to get rid of their doll, their plush will undergo the same fate as the rest of plastics and go through the same cycle as the plastic packaging: it will either accumulate in landfills or be burned. It will likely not get recycled as it is a mixed plastic. 

Conclusion

Pop Mart’s SKULLPANDA You Found Me! Series plush dolls appeal to young adults for their distinctive aesthetic, but most consumers are unaware of their environmental burden. Pop Mart has green operations where they promote energy conservation, emission reduction, and packaging optimization. According to the GBA Promotion Association, in 2024, they ran a campaign, “Green POP, Low-Carbon Reduction,” which introduced a “liquid flow glue” process to reduce volatile organic compound emissions and replaced PET plastic packaging with 100% recyclable corrugated paper (Qinger). Despite these efforts, that incorporates recycling and “material innovation,” massive amounts of emissions and waste are generated from the raw materials acquisition phase to the end of their life cycle. In order to better integrate their “Green Pop” campaign, it is best for the company to make “greener” changes beyond the packaging and begin looking into the manufacturing of the dolls.

Works Cited

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Angela Zeng

Professor Cogdel

DES 40A

19 February 2026

Embodied Energy of “SKULLPANDA: You Found Me!”

Blind boxes have become popular around the world in the past 3 years. Originating with SMISKIs and Sonny Angels, their popularity paved the way for other blindbox companies to grow. One of the most prominent blindbox sellers that broke through during this time was the Chinese company POPMART. POPMART has gone viral in the past 2 years, with its popularity skyrocketing in 2025 [8]. Selling collectible items and blind boxes based on both artists and licensed IP’s such as “THE MONSTERS”, “MOLLY”, and “SKULLPANDA” (POPMART) [9]. In this essay, we will specifically go over the “SKULLPANDA: You Found Me!” plush doll series, designed by Xing Miao, and the embodied energy of its lifecycle. High amounts of embodied energy, such as raw material acquisition and transportation, go into each stage of its lifecycle. Contributing to the intensifying global environmental warming with high CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases as a by-product of the energy used. To identify the amount of embodied energy that these plush dolls require, we need to look into each stage of their lifecycle to calculate how much energy goes into each of them. 

Skullpandas are made of a mix of different materials, with their hard face plates and their bodies made of soft fabric. During the raw material acquisition stage, the raw materials are acquired for their production. During my research, I found that Skullpandas are made up of new PVC and ABS plastics, and the stuffing in the fabric on the bodies is made of polyester [12]. PVC, ABS, and polyester are all synthetic materials that are highly energy-intensive to produce. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) takes a total of 53 MJ/kg to produce, 24 MJ/kg coming from petroleum and the other 29 MJ/kg from other sources (Marczak) [5]. ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) takes about 95.34 MJ/kg, with most of that energy coming from oil and natural gas (Boustead) [1]. The polyester needed for the fabric and stuffing requires 125 M/kg produced [3], making it the most energy-intensive thing to produce during the raw material acquisition stage. With polyester making up the majority of the plush doll, it contributes significantly to the total energy that is used during this stage. 

The acquired raw materials then need to be processed and then put through the product manufacturing stage to make the needed parts to assemble the skull panda into the final product.  There isn't much information publicly available on the product manufacturing process and the exact machines their manufacturers use, so it isn’t easy to pinpoint their exact energy use. But according to POPMART’s registered patents in China [10] and their 2024 annual report [9], both have mentioned the use of injection molding and CNC water transfer printing being used during the production of their products (POPMARTS) [9]. Using a research article on the energy consumption of different industrial injection molding for plastics, it states that a machine takes an estimated 4.98 kWh/kg (17.928 MJ/kg) (Matarrese) [6]. There is not enough information to verify if the machines researched in this article are accurate compared to the one that POPMART uses, and if this number is close to the actual amount. Due to the amount of uncertainty behind this number, it will be considered an estimation. For the next process, the CNC water transfer process (hydro dipping), again faced with the same problems of limited information on these machines and their energy consumption. I looked into other possible similar water transfer printing machines. According to a product listing by Tsautop, a hydro dipping manufacturer, their “Fully Automatic Water Transfer Printing Machine” has a total power usage of about 21 kWh (75.6 MJ) [3]. There is no clarification on what total power means. It could mean the total power needed to start the machine, or the power needed to keep it running without any information on how long. But with the limitation on information on CNC transfer printing, this was the closest I was able to find on the energy consumption of the printing process. 

After the production phase, these pull dolls need to be packaged before they are able to be shipped to the consumer. The boxes that the skullpandas are packaged in are made of new corrugated paper (POPMART) [9], which is a different type of cardboard. On average, virgin cardboard takes 35.50 MJ/kg (Venkatesan) [14] to produce. The doll itself is also packaged inside a plastic bag that needs to be ripped open, concealing the doll within the box. With no information on what type of plastic these bags were made of to base my research on, I tried to use information from other blind box companies, but no results popped up for that either. In the end, I chose to exclude this from my research as there was not a sufficient amount of information to give an estimation on. 

After the plush dolls are packaged, they go onto the transportation stage. Before they are sent out for transit, they are packed inside a cardboard box, which, similar to the corrugated paper, takes 35.50 MJ/kg (Venkatesan) [14] to produce. After it is packaged, the plush dolls are shipped via air cargo. POPMART ships its products to the Chinese shipping company YunExpress [11]. According to YunExpress's website, it states that they use the freight plane Boeing B777F, which typically consumes about 7-8 tons of A-1 jet fuel per hour [4]. Using the example flight from Shenzhen to LAX airport (USA), which takes about 18 hours, we can calculate the amount of fuel it would take to transport their products via air freight. Doing the calculations, it would take about 126 to 144 tons of fuel to be burned for an 18-hour flight. A-1 jet fuel contains about 44.68 MJ/kg, meaning it would be a total of 5,436,900-6,213,600 MJ worth of fuel burned for air transportation. This is the largest energy cost throughout the entire embodied energy of a skullpanda, but there are multiple factors that go into this. Skullpandas are not the only product being shipped in a mail carrier plane in a singular trip, so this number is not indicative of just one singular skullpanda plush doll. After the dolls arrive at their designated airport, the package moves through different hubs and distribution centers and then reaches the last mile stage before it reaches the consumer. According to UPS, for domestic packages, the normalized energy intensity is about 26.65 MJ per package” (Stolaroff) [13]. This is an estimation that gives a good idea of how much it takes to deliver packages. But factors such as how many packages per home and how the routes differ in length should also be considered, as they can change this number.

When it comes to using, reusing, and servicing Skullpandas, the consumer can choose how they want to use them. Typical examples of use include being displayed on bags as accessories, but actions like this do not require any energy. The same applies to the reuse and maintenance, as they cannot be cleaned or washed in any way without risk of ruining the product. Because of this, this stage of the skullpanda's lifecycle does not have any embodied energy. 

When a consumer decides they no longer want the plush dolls, this is the start of the disposal stage. Due to the nature that they are made of mixed materials that cannot be separated properly, that means they cannot be recycled. Therefore, when they are disposed of, they are sent to a landfill. Trash trucks burn a daily average of about. Because this number represents average daily use for the track trucks, there is no accurate way to calculate the energy for the skullpandas alone. As garbage trucks pick up garbage from multiple houses on a route throughout the day and collect tons of trash throughout the day. The actual amount of embodied energy for the plush doll alone would only make up a small portion of this number, which would be impossible to calculate without more information. 

Putting all this information together, knowing that the blind box business model is predatory as a form of gambling, it pushes consumers to buy more of the same product in hopes of getting the plush doll they wanted. It allows us to see how much actual energy goes into these skullpandas and how harmful and wasteful these plush dolls are to the environment. Skullpandas are extremely energy-intensive during each stage of raw material acquisition, product manufacturing, transportation, and disposal, and that embodied energy is derived from fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas. Both sourcing and burning these fuels for energy lead to the destruction of the environment through the forms of mining, drilling, habitat destruction, deforestation, and greenhouse gas emissions. This only intensifies when a consumer buys multiple, or even a box set of these dolls, only for them to be replaced by another newer, trending blind box, causing this cycle to start all over again. From the raw materials, production, transportation, use, and disposal, all of these stages are repeated every single time a new series of blind boxes comes out. Which is why consumers should be more conscious of the environmental impacts they are making when they purchase one or multiple of these products. 

Bibliography

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[2] “Fiber Guide: Polyester.” CFDA, 13 Oct. 2021, cfda.com/resources/materials-hub/article/fiber-guide-polyester/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

[3] “Fully Automatic Water Transfer Printing Machine 6.0 | TSAUTOP.” TSAUTOP, 30 Nov. 2025, www.tsautop.com/fully-automatic-water-transfer-printing-machine/. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

[4] “How Much Fuel Does a Commercial Plane Use?” AVIEX Resource Library, 2024, aviex.goflexair.com/flight-school-training-faq/how-much-fuel-do-commercial-planes-use. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

[5] Marczak, Halina. “Energy Inputs on the Production of Plastic Products.” Journal of Ecological Engineering, vol. 23, no. 9, 1 Sept. 2022, pp. 146–156, https://doi.org/10.12911/22998993/151815.

[6] Matarrese, P., et al. “Estimating Energy Consumption of Injection Moulding for Environmental-Driven Mould Design.” Journal of Cleaner Production, vol. 168, 1 Dec. 2017, pp. 1505–1512. ScienceDirect, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.144.

[7] Nguyen, Thuy T.T., Bruce G. Wilson. “Fuel Consumption Estimation for Kerbside Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Collection Activities.” Waste Management & Research, vol. 28, no. 4, Sept. 2009, pp. 289–297, https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242x09337656.

[8]"POPMART." Google Trends, trends.google.com/explore?q=POPMART&date=today%205-y&geo=US. 

Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

[9] POPMART INTERNATIONAL GROUP LIMITED. “2024 Annual Report.” Popmart.com, prod-out-res.popmart.com/cms/ANNUAL_REPORT_2024_976e7e443e.pdf. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

[10]"Pop Mart Patents – Insights & Stats (Updated 2025)." Insights, Greyb, 

insights.greyb.com/pop-mart-patents/. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.

[11]POPMART. "POPMART FAQ." popmart.com, https://www.popmart.com/us/help/faqs?srsltid=AfmBOorOEXkIzpcQOpcw77PKd0qnMaOAJQlgnDYwLi8Gi9fHv1_qrnJn. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.

[12] “SKULLPANDA You Found Me! Series Plush Doll Pendant.” Popmart.com, 2026, www.popmart.com/us/products/3676/%5BLocal-Warehouse%5D-SKULLPANDA-You-Found-Me. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

[13] Stolaroff, Joshuah K., et al. “Energy Use and Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Drones for Commercial Package Delivery.” Nature Communications, vol. 9, no. 409, 13 Feb. 2018, www.nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/s41467-017-02411-5, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-017-02411-5.

[14] Venkatesan, Srikanth, etc. “Circular-Economy-Based Approach to Utilizing Cardboard in Sustainable Building Construction.” MDPI, vol. 13, no. 1, 10 Jan. 2023, p. 181, https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13010181.

Alejanadra Maritnez 

Professor Professor Cogdell

DES 040 A05 

03/11/2026

Raw Material Analysis on SkullPanda: You Found Me! Moldy Muffin Plush Doll  

A Life Cycle Analysis evaluates the environment impacts of a product from raw materials extraction through manufacturing, use, and final disposal. The Skullpanda You Found Me! Moldy Muffin plush doll produced by Pop Mart is a small collectible toy, yet its materials composition reveals a complex industrial supply chain. According to available product information from Pop Mart, the confirmed materials used in the doll include ABS plastic, PVC plastic, and Polyester fabric (“SKULLPANDA You Found Me! Series Plush Doll Pendant”) While the toy appears small and collectible,these materials originated from petroleum based industrial processes that require extensive extraction, chemical processing, and global transportation. Additional components such as dyes, coatings, packaging materials, and small metal attachments are likely present based on the common toy manufacturing practices, they are not explicitly confirmed. When examined through a life cycle perspective, these materials inputs reveal that even a small collectible object can generate significant environmental impacts. By analyzing the SkullPanda plush doll across the stages of raw materials extraction, manufacturing, transportation and distribution, use and maintenance, and disposal, it becomes clear that the materials used in the product require intensive resource extraction and processing that contribute to environmental pollution, energy consumption, and waste generation throughout the product life cycle. 

Raw Materials Extraction

The SkullPanda doll’s confirmed materials, ABS plastic, PPC, and polyester, are all petroleum based highlighting the significant environmental and social implications of raw material extraction. ABS and PVC plastics are synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks, through energy intensive polymerization, consuming substantial fossil fuels and releasing greenhouse gases (American Chemistry Council; Rikter et al.). PVC production also involves chlorine-based chemistry, which can generate dioxins and other persistent pollutants if not carefully controlled, posing risk to both ecosystems and human health (Rikhter et al.; Ardila Leal). Polyester, a synthetic fiber, is manufactured through high temperature chemical reactions using catalysts, releasing both carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (Smelik 283). The intensive water usage in polyester synthesis and plastic production further strains local freshwater systems, creating potential competition with human and ecological needs (AF&PA;Gavrilescu).

Beyond environmental issues these processes have social ramifications. Petroleum extraction and refining often take place in regions where labor protections are minimal, exposing workers to chemical hazards, accidents, and poor working conditions. Local communities may also suffer from environmental denigration, including groundwater, contamination, air pollution, and habitat disruption (EBSCO; Levesque, 784). While dyes, coatings, medals, and packaging, are not confirmed for the specific doll, common toy manufacturing practices suggested elements could further amplify environmental pressures through additional chemical inputs, energy demands, and waste generation (Selke 45; “Zinc Alloy: Properties, Applications & Benefits”). This stage illustrates how the choice of raw materials initiates a cascade of environmental and social impacts that reverberate through the rest of the product's life cycle. 

Manufacturing

The manufacturing stage for the SkullPanda doll compounds the environmental impacts initiated during raw material extraction. The polymerization of ABS and PVC plastic requires precise temperature and catalyst control, consuming high amounts of energy and generating emissions such as volatile organic compounds, carbon dioxide, and trace pollutants(Rikhter et al.). Polyester fibers undergo spinning, weaving and finishing steps, each demanding additional heat, water and chemicals such as solvent and finishing agents (Smelik 283 & Levesque, 784). These processes collectively contribute to high embodied energy and water consumption, demonstrating that even a small collectible item carries a significant environmental footprint before it leaves the factory. 

While unconfirming in this particular doll, dyes and coatings are common in collectible toys likely contributing additional chemical waste. Industrial dyeing processes release heavy metals, organic pollutants, effluents that can contaminate surrounding water systems and negatively affect aquatic life if untreated (Ardila Leal). Manufacturing also intersects with labor and social issues. Many Toy factories operate in regions with less stringent labor protections, meaning workers may face exposure to hazardous chemicals, long hours, and inadequate safety measures, while local communities bear the brunt of industrial pollution (EBSCO). Paperboard packaging production, which is often integrated at this stage, also consumes significant energy and water, and generates solid waste and emissions during pulping and bleaching (AF&PA; Gavrilescu). This stage reinforces that material choices directly influence both ecological burdens and social risk, with the environmental cost of production often outweighing the apparent simplicity of the finished product.

Transportation and Distribution

After manufacturing, the SkullPanda doll enters complex global supply chains, further amplifying its environmental footprint. Plastics and polyester fibers are produced in petrochemical plants, then transported to assembly facilities, and finally distributed worldwide to retailers and consumers. Each stage of transportation relies on fossil fuels, contributing to carbon emissions and air pollution (Rikhter et al & Levesque). The energy intensity and carbon footprint of this logistics network are substantial, even for small products, illustrating how globalization magnifies environmental impacts at every life cycle stage. Long distance shipping also requires packaging materials to protect products during transport, which can increase the use of plastics, paperboard, and protective fillers that later become additional waste at the consumer level. 

Transportation also carries social implications. Communities near ports, highways, and distribution centers often face air and noise pollution, while workers in shipping and logistics may face long hours, low wages, and safety risk (EBSCO). The demand for collectible toys like SkullPanda encourages repeated production cycles, thereby perpetuating extraction, manufacturing, and shipping impacts on a global scale (Pop Mart Patents; POPMART FAQ). Limited-edition releases and frequent product drops common in collectible markets can further intensify these logistics cycles, requiring repeated shipments of new products to meet consumer demands. This stage highlights the role of consumer-driven supply chains in extending both environmental and social consequences beyond the immediate factory and product. As a result, the transportation phase demonstrates how even small consumer goods rely on extensive global infrastructure that contributes to environmental emissions and social inequalities throughout the distribution network. 

Use, Reuse, and Maintenance

During the use phase, the environmental impact of the SkullPanda doll is lower than in previous stages but still present. The confirmed materials, particularly polyester, have a potential for microplastic sheddings during cleaning, contributing to chemical and particulate pollution in domestic wastewater (Levesque, 784). Even routine handwashing or machine washing can release thousands of microfibers per cycle, which persist in aquatic ecosystems and accumulate in organisms, demonstrating that even consumer level maintenance produces measurable environmental harm (Smelik 283). Wastewater treatment facilities are not always able to fully filter out microscopic plastic fibers, many of these particles ultimately enter rivers, lakes, and oceans where they can be ingested by aquatic organisms and more through food webs. Cleaning and maintenance also consumes low water and energy, further embedding minor but cumulative environmental cost into everyday use. When multiplied across many households and repeated cleaning cycles, these small resource demands contribute to a broader pattern of energy consumption and water use associated with maintaining synthetic textile products.  

 Socially, consumer behavior drives ongoing impacts. Collectors frequently purchase multiple dolls or replace items, sustaining demand for new production cycles, which in turn amplifies upstream environmental and labor burdens (EBSCO; Levesque, 784). The popularity of limited-edition collectibles can further intensify this pattern, encouraging frequent purchases and reinforcing continuous production and distribution of similar products. Reuse can mitigate some impacts, but it does not address the energy and resource and intensity of manufacturing and transport already embedded in the product. Furthermore, products that are donated or resold may require further cleaning or restoration, introducing additional water use, chemical exposure, and minor emissions, showing that the environmental footprint of use is continuous rather than static (Levesque, 784).While extending a product's lifespan through resale or reuse can delay disposal, it still operates within a larger consumption system that depends ongoing production of new goods. 

This stage is a good example of how consumers directly influence the life cycle sustainability of material-intensive products. It highlights that environmental impacts are not confined to production and disposal, microplastics, energy use, and chemical residues from everyday maintenance represents a persistent, though often overlooked, contribution to pollution, and resource consumption (Smelik 283, Gavrilescu). By recognizing these impacts, consumers and manufacturers alike can better understand how small daily practices and product design decisions influence the broader environmental footprint of synthetic consumer goods. 

Recycling and Disposal

Disposal presents some of the most significant challenges for material used in the SkullPanda doll. ABS and PVC plastics are typically recyclable, but the small size, mixed materials composition, and potential coatings make practical recycling unlikely (Rikhter et al & “Zinc alloy: Properties, Applications & Benefits”). Even when collected for recycling, the energy and water required to sort, clean, and reprocess small, complex parts often outweigh the environmental benefit, resulting in low actual recycling rates. Polyester fibers are often downcycled into lower quality textiles or incinerated, producing carbon emissions. Paperboard packaging may be recyclable but is often contaminated with adhesives, coatings, or inks, reducing effective recovery rates (Gavrilescu and AF&PA). Flexible plastic films, if used for packaging, are rarely recycled, instead contributing to landfills or incinerations facilities (Selke, 45). In landfills, plastics and synthetic fibers persist for decades, leaching additives and chemicals into soil and groundwater, while incineration can emit greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants such as dioxins (Ardila Leal; Rikhter et al.).

End-of-life impacts also carry social consequences. Communities in regions with limited waste management infrastructure may experience disproportionate exposure to chemical pollution, leachates, and plastic debris, highlighting inequities in environmental burdens. Mixed-material design further complicates recycling systems, demonstrating that even small, seemingly harmless toys carry enduring environmental and social consequences. Additionally, informal recycling sectors in developing regions often handle plastics and textiles without protective equipment, exposing workers to chemical hazards and reinforcing labor equities. The cumulative effect of extraction, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal illustrates the extensive and interconnected environmental and social consequences embedded in even a small consumer product. This highlights the importance of design for recycling, material reduction, and consumer awareness to reduce the long-term environmental footprint of collectible items. 

Conclusion

The SkullPanda You Found Me! Moldy Muffin plush doll demonstrate how material choices drive interconnected environmental and social impacts across its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction to final disposal. The confirmed materials being ABS, PVC, and polyester, require petroleum extraction, energy-intensive processing, and chemical treatment. Contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and pollution at multiple stages of production and disposal. While additional components like dyes, coatings, mentals, and packagings are unconfirmed, typical toy manufacturing practices suggest these could further increase environmental burdens. 

The doll’s small size underestimates its complex supply chain and cumulative impacts. Even small consumer goods can create persistent environmental effects, including microplastics release, chemical contamination, and ongoing pressure on energy, water, and management systems. Addressing these impacts requires material reduction, responsible consumer behavior, and improvements in production, distribution, and disposal systems. Sustainability is shared responsibility, with manufactures, retailers, and consumers all influencing the products environmental and social footprint. Thoughtful design decisions, such as using recyclable materials, reducing chemical additives, and designing for durability, can decrease the downstream impacts. 

Furthermore, understanding the life cycle implications of small collectibles emphasizes the need for consumer awareness and systemic change. By extending product lifespans through reuse, reselling, or mindful maintenance, and by supporting consequences of even tiny products can be meaningfully reduced. Ultimately, the SkullPanda doll serves as a small subset for larger issues in consumer goods, material choice, production intensity, and disposal behavior collectively shape the sustainability of the products we use every day. 

References

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