There's been plenty of feminist outrage over Mattel's most popular doll, and now there's about to be some environmentalist outrage, too. Not only does Barbie perpetuate unrealistic expectations of female bodies, but she destroys the rainforest while doing so.

A new report from the infamous eco-activist organization Greenpeace asserts that several giant toy companies use packaging materials from brands linked to rainforest destruction. Hasbro and Lego are indicated as well. Forensic analysis has shown traces of mixed-tropical hardwood and acacia fiber, which usually comes from a number of companies under an umbrella brand with a nasty record of environmental offenses. The umbrella  brand, Asian Pulp & Paper, sources from rainforests that are home to critically endangered species like tigers and elephants. 

Greenpeace protested their discovery by dressing up like Ken dolls and climbing atop Mattel's Los Angeles HQ with a banner that read, "Barbie: It's over. I don't date girls that are into deforestation." Excessive? Possibly. Greenpeace is known for their ridiculous stunts. But I think this one is hilarious. Mattel does not. They've apparently been "in communication" with Greenpeace and are sore that the activists are making them look bad publicly. Greenpeace has made strides in pressuring companies to use environmentally friendly paper sources, so perhaps this "communication" is a first step toward changing Mattel's buying habits. 

I doubt that people will boycott these major players in the toy industry, but Greenpeace has certainly put a dent in their public image. The organization has been working hard to expose even those sources that claim to be sustainable, like APP. Further research has proven that the pulp brand is not quite so eco-friendly as they would like us to believe. Many of the forests where they get their wood are logged illegally, and even within legal parameters, there's no question that large-scale deforestation is a nasty thing to do to the planet. Greenpeace has put the pressure on; let's hope we see a response. Until then, we all have yet another reason not to buy Barbie dolls.