Hunting for Proposals for Robust and Eco-Friendly Plastic Tracks

Hello Community,

I am new here after joining this website and this is my first post after joining the discussion so, please forgive me and provide kind assistance if I have posted to the wrong subsection.

I'm a huge lover of plastic tracks and I'm looking to get a few fresh ones right now. But with so many alternatives available, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed. I was hoping to hear some suggestions from the BluePlasticTracks.org community.

Durability is my main priority. I'm looking for tracks that won't break rapidly or lose their shape after repeated use. I'm definitely trying to locate a solution that will last because I've had some instances in the past where tracks were rigid or warped after just a few months.

Sustainability of my surroundings is also essential to me. Tracks that are recyclable by themselves or that have been made exclusively of recycled materials are where I personally prefer.

I would be very grateful for any suggestions you have for plastic tracks that fit these requirements. I'm interested in hearing your opinions, regardless of whether you've used a specific brand firsthand or have heard positive things from other members of the community.

Thank You in advance.

[Super]

Hello Peterflores and welcome to our community.

I am not sure what plastic tracks you are looking for because for the most part our Forums are big into the Plarail/Tomy, Trackmaster tracks and you don't mention which tracks you are asking about.

Actually I'm searching for the images I need to show you but I can't find them right now. Please give me some time. I will share you soon.

Meanwhile, these are the 'ECO' tracks that Takara Tomy make:



https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810465942/
https://takaratomymall.jp/shop/g/g4904810465973/

"We won the "Eco Mark Award 2012" Gold Award!
The Eco Mark Award is an award system established in 2010 by the Japan Environmental Association.

More than 50% of the polypropylene used in this product is recycled.
This is the first "Eco Mark" certified product in the toy category. The rail color is green, which is inspired by ecology."

[Super]

Exactly and why I needed to know what Peter is talking about as it seems like he isn't asking about Plarail/Tomy/Trackmaster.

It's important to know where Peter is geographically as well because if for example its the UK he won't have the option to buy new Tomy made tracks like those eco green ones unless he imports them from Japan, doing so is hardly 'eco' once you factor in the 'air miles' they would travel (would that be 'toy miles' seeing as they refer to imported food as having 'food miles'?). Strictly speaking unless imported you are pretty much limited to Fisher Price Trackmaster tracks in the UK if you can even find a stockist that has those if you want new. I'm not convinced about the longevity of the FP tracks anyway, they always seem a bit flimsy and difficult to connect easily when compared to Tomy blue track.

Personally I would have thought the most eco way is to go buy the most durable tracks second hand from eBay rather than buy new. After all they have already been manufactured so there is no additional carbon footprint and as we all know the Tomy blue tracks have probably the widest range of pieces such as turnouts/points (depending if you are american or english <g>) as well as the basic pieces. They are very resilient and long lasting and if you do end up breaking a piece you can toss it in the recycling because they are made of an ABS type plastic which is eminently recyclable. Also you can often pick up a big batch of track at very reasonable prices on eBay and may even get some trains and/or rolling stock and scenery thrown in the bundle.

The other choice is to print your own as we know if you have a 3D printer. As to the eco credentials there if you use PLA plastic that is primarily manufactured from maize or other similar plant products, but of course it does have some level of carbon footprint during manufacture, not to mention the actual electricity you use when printing them. As for disposal PLA will break down even if discarded into landfill, so has a minimal eco impact in that respect. The drawback is that it is less flexible than ABS type plastics so can crack if too much pressure is applied to it, not that a plarail train will offer that much pressure. The other choice would be to print in ABS on your 3D printer, but that can be fraught with issues, many printers are not really suitable as you ideally need one with a full enclosure or else it can crack/de-laminate as it cools during the printing process. If printed successfully it can be almost as robust as injection moulded ABS tracks such as Tomy's, but again there is an eco footprint as ABS is derived from Oil, but on the plus side it can be recycled easily.

Basically the whole area is a bit of a minefield unless you know exactly where, what and how from Peter - where he is, what he wants and how he wants to procure it (i.e. manufactured or DIY 3D prints).

[Super]

Well said Nigels. 😃