We are pleased to present the updated edition of the Green Games Guide! Our board has been hard at work expanding the materials section and updating case studies to reflect new initiatives and emerging technologies. Below is a brief overview of what’s new in this edition.
GGG 1.1 offers expanded guidance on textile components, examining their labor and water costs and the broader need to reduce or replace textiles in games. When textiles cannot be eliminated entirely, the guide highlights compromise options such as hemp and recycled cotton. The guide also addresses metal components and boxes, emphasizing the importance of using recycled and recyclable metals when designing them out of a game is not feasible. Finally, we explore environmental concerns surrounding glass, including its weight, recycling challenges, and the impact glass production can have on aquatic ecosystems.
While our new materials assessments may sound discouraging, the board game industry continues to demonstrate its trademark creativity in addressing environmentally thoughtful design. InFUNity Tiles by RePlay Workshop is designed using 100% locally sourced recycled plastic. Molehill Meadows introduced an innovative biodegradable cello wrap for its game packaging. And Mighty Boards published Rebirth, a game made from an infinitely recyclable, moldable, and biodegradable wood composite called ReWood.
As our industry continues to push toward better games for all, we will keep updating the Guide to reflect new research and advances in materials science. We look forward to helping your games stay green for years to come. Publishers and manufacturers: be sure to share their innovations with us so we can highlight your efforts! After all, sustainability is a co-op game.