My son and I are interested in the types of plastic used in various model kits. Companies do not mark these with the standard numbers. Web information is sparse, not specific and often not reliable, so we thought we should get some ‘sprue’ (the trees that hold the components in transit) analysed. We have several samples from Warhammer (probably polystyrene) and Hawk Wargaming. Lego is, I think, ABS.
If we knew what the plastics were, we might be able to get Lids4Kids to add them to their Waste Warriors collection program.
Can you suggest how I could get the sprue analysed?
I agree, most companies will have such information if it isn’t already public. Some may provide it, others could argue it is part of their intellectual property (‘trade secret’).
Notwithstanding this…
uses a range of different plastic types, depending on the piece. A set can have a range of different plastic types. Lego outlines the plastics they use here:
Looking online and like Lego, Warhammer and Hawk Wargaming use a range of plastics depending on the product produced. For example, the Warhammer website has products made from polyester through to plastic (plastic types not defined but there appears consensus most is polystyrene) and Hawk Wargaming states they use moulded resins (again not defining the resin composition).
Warhammer has a recycling program for some items in the USA, UK and parts of Europe.
Like Lego, other toy companies might use a range of different plastics depending on the products they produce.
Good luck. With very small volumes and risk of mixed plastic types, they might be cautious in pursuing.
