Why Tabletop Games are (Actually) Super Sustainable

Alright, let’s have a little chat about tabletop games — you know, board games, card games, all the good stuff you play sitting around a table with mates, not glued to a screen. Besides being brilliant fun (and occasionally causing some dramatic Monopoly family feuds), tabletop games are low-key one of the most sustainable ways to entertain yourself and your family.

Here’s why:

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They’re Built to Last

Most games (let's leave card games out of this for a second) are made from solid materials like thick cardboard, wooden pieces, and sturdy plastic. If you look after them — keep the dog from chewing the tiles, maybe — they can literally last decades. I’ve got a battered old copy of Scrabble from the 80s that’s still perfectly playable, and we love a really old game of Paroodo. Compare that to your average electronic gadget, which probably ends up in a landfill after five years, if you’re lucky.

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Little Boxes in Containers 

Tabletop games are more and more popular, which is great news game sellers,  most come in way smaller boxes than the classics like Game of Life. Meaning loads more fit in a container & just like the reusable bags of soap, more in a container means fewer containers needed… and more importantly, the more I can squeeze in the library!

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Low Energy, High Vibes

You don’t need electricity to play a board game (unless you’re one of those fancy people with an LED-lit D&D table — no judgement). No charging, no batteries, no screens burning your eyeballs. Just good old-fashioned brainpower, maybe a cuppa, and some dodgy dice rolls. It’s like being eco-friendly without even trying.

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Reusable Fun

You can play the same game hundreds of times and never have the same experience twice. Games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Wingspan are different every time you play. No need for endless expansions or constant upgrades — though let’s be real, a cheeky new expansion now and then is part of the fun. 

And if it's a game you're not drawn to play over or a game like Micromacro City…. Your local charity shop, other friends or family will take it off your shelf, dust and all. 

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Sharing is Caring

One game can entertain loads of people. Whether it’s game night with mates, family Christmas gatherings, or awkward team-building days at work, one box brings hours (and hours) of use. And if you’re bored of it? Swap it, donate it, or flog it second-hand. 

Games keep moving, not clogging up bins.

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Eco-Conscious Production is on the Rise

Loads of newer board game companies are getting proper eco-friendly about it too. Recycled paper, soy-based inks, plastic-free packaging — the works. Some even plant trees to offset production. So if you’re picking your next game, you can support brands that are doing their bit for the planet.

In short...

Next time someone side-eyes your growing collection of games, just tell them you’re saving the planet, one dice roll at a time. Honestly, it’s basically activism with bonus snacks.