Yo-Yo (plastic)
Toys & RecreationCarbon Cost Index Score
Per kg
Methodology v1.0 · Last reviewed 2026-04-08
Scope Breakdown
| Scope | kgCO₂e | % of Total | Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | 0.9 | 5% | |
| Scope 2 | 1.8 | 10% | |
| Scope 3 | 15.3 | 85% | |
| Total | 18 | 100% |
Emission Hotspots
| Emission Hotspot | Scope | Est. % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| plastic resin production | S3 | 55% |
| raw material extraction | S3 | 20% |
| transportation to market | S3 | 12% |
| manufacturing energy | S2 | 8% |
| packaging materials | S3 | 5% |
Manufacturing Geography
- Region
- China
- Grid Intensity
- 554 gCO2e/kWh (IEA 2023)
Material Composition Assumptions
The carbon footprint assessment for a typical plastic yo-yo assumes a product weight of approximately 50 grams composed primarily of petroleum-derived thermoplastics. The yo-yo body consists of polystyrene or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene representing roughly 80% of the total mass at 40 grams. A small amount of polyethylene terephthalate forms the string component at approximately 2 grams or 4% of total weight. Cardboard packaging materials account for the remaining 8 grams representing 16% of the product’s overall mass.
Manufacturing Geography
Production of plastic yo-yos occurs predominantly in China, which manufactures over 70% of global toy output. Chinese manufacturing facilities operate on an electricity grid with relatively high carbon intensity due to substantial coal-fired power generation capacity. The average grid emission factor of 554 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt-hour significantly influences the manufacturing phase carbon footprint compared to regions with cleaner energy sources.
Regional Variation
| Manufacturing Region | Grid Intensity | Estimated CCI Score | Adjustment vs Default |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 554 gCO2e/kWh | 18 | Baseline |
| Germany | 366 gCO2e/kWh | 16 | -11% |
| France | 57 gCO2e/kWh | 14 | -22% |
| India | 708 gCO2e/kWh | 20 | +11% |
| United States | 386 gCO2e/kWh | 17 | -6% |
Provenance Override Guidance
- Manufacturing facility energy consumption data including electricity usage per unit produced and renewable energy percentage
- Plastic resin supplier specifications with detailed polymer type, recycled content percentage, and production location
- Transportation logistics documentation showing shipping methods, distances, and fuel consumption from factory to distribution center
- Packaging material specifications including cardboard weight, recycled fiber content, and printing process details
- Manufacturing process efficiency metrics such as production line energy intensity and waste generation rates
Methodology Notes
- The CCI score represents cradle-to-gate emissions including raw material extraction through manufacturing completion but excluding consumer use and end-of-life disposal
- Scope 3 emissions dominate the carbon footprint due to energy-intensive petroleum refining and plastic resin production processes upstream of toy manufacturing
- The functional unit assumes a standard two-piece plastic yo-yo weighing 50 grams including string and retail packaging
- End-of-life treatment scenarios are excluded from the assessment boundary despite potential recycling or landfill disposal impacts
- Limited availability of toy industry-specific life cycle assessment data creates uncertainty in emission factor selection for specialized manufacturing processes
- Transportation emissions assume average shipping distances from Asian production facilities to North American and European markets