The world’s most popular color-matching puzzle is now “greener” than ever.
In November 2022, toy company Spin Master released an eco-friendly version of the Rubik’s Cube called Rubik’s Re-Cube.
What is Rubik’s Re-Cube?
Made of 100% recycled plastic, Rubik’s Re-Cube is the same 3×3 Cube you know and love, but created with sustainability at top of mind. Rubik’s Re-Cube comes in a 100% sustainable package made of un-bleached paperboard, which is created from all-natural ingredients such as wood pulp. The unbleached paper board is certified by the Forest Steward Council (FSC), meaning it meets the top criteria for sustainability standards.
Rubik’s Re-Cube is one of the finished products of Spin Master’s Playsponsible initiative, which aims to create magical play experiences for children and their families while also being responsible custodians of the world these kids will one day inherit.
Where to buy Rubik’s Re-Cube
Rubik’s Re-Cube is available for purchase on Amazon for $12.99.
- 3D Puzzle
- Fidget Cube Stress Relief
- Travel Game
- For adults and kids ages 8 and up
Before the launch of the eco-friendly Rubik’s Cube, Spin Master has previously released a number of sustainable toy lines. These include GUND’s Sustainably Soft Friends and its Mindful Classics line of Games for a Shared Planet.
Spin Master’s Playponsible initiative
Various toymakers have used plastic in manufacturing their products because of the material’s safety, durability, and ability to conform to molds and shapes. But through Playsponsible, Spin Master is actively looking for opportunities to create more sustainable options within the product lifecycle to reduce environmental impact on the planet.
Through Playsponsible, Spin Master is producing safe, high-quality, and responsibly sourced toys, as well as leveraging responsible product materials and packaging to provide consumers with more sustainable options. The toy company has also made a commitment to a 50% reduction in the use of plastic in packaging in 2025 and is constantly on the lookout for other ways to reduce packaging and use single-use plastic alternatives.
As part of Playsponsible, Spin Master has also partnered with international recycling leader TerraCycle in the United States and Australia to give families the chance to recycle the toys and games they are no longer using. Both packaging and toys from Spin Master’s Playsponsible initiative can be sent through to TerraCycle to be recycled into other products like benches and even playground equipment.
When did Rubik’s Cubes come out?
The Rubik’s Cube was invented by Hungarian sculptor and architecture professor Erno Rubik in 1974, but it wasn’t until 1977 that the puzzle’s first test batches was released under the name Hungarian Magic Cube. The toy was licensed by Rubik to be sold by Pentangle Puzzles in the UK in 1978, and then by Ideal Toy Corp in 1980 via businessman Tibor Laczi and Seven Towns founder Tom Kremer.
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The classic Rubik’s Cube features six colored sides, each made up of nine squares. Once the sides are jumbled up, the player must twist, turn, and rotate the cube until each of the six sides has only one color. The newest version of Rubik’s Cube 3×3 is equipped with a mechanism that results in smoother, faster, and more reliable play. The traditional stickers were replaced with anti-cheating plastic tiles, which don’t fade and peel easily.
Described as a true combination of math, art, and science, the Rubik’s Cube is meant to challenge one’s mind and problem-solving skills. But other than that, the puzzle is also a crowd-favorite fidget pack for anxiety relief.
The Rubik’s Cube reached the peak of its mainstream popularity in the 1980s. But the toy has seen a resurgence since 2018 when amateur and professional “speedcubers” from all over the world started to face each other, battling for the chance to prove their skills in the Rubik’s Cube World Championship.
Rubik’s Cube record
As of January 2023, the 3×3 world record single is 3.47 seconds. This is held by Yusheng Du.
Meanwhile, the 3×3 world record average is 4.86 seconds, tied by Max Park and Tymon Kolasiński.