Eco-friendly doll accessories announced

Mattel has announced a collection of eco-friendly accessories for Barbie dolls, which it claims are "just in time to celebrate Earth Day".

The accessories - part of the new Barbie BCause range - are described as "an environmentally-friendly fashion statement" and include items such as handbags, hats, pillows and diaries for the fashion dolls.

Items are crafted using materials from other Barbie-branded products and fashions which would otherwise be thrown away by manufacturers.

"Barbie BCause is for eco-conscious girls who believe that being environmentally-friendly is the right thing to do and we are thrilled to give extra meaning and extra style to what was once just extra Barbie doll fabric," said Richard Dickson, senior vice-president of worldwide marketing, media and entertainment at Mattel.

Earth Day will take place on April 22 this year and will be marked with a number of events held in cities around the world, including Barcelona, New York and Sydney, the Earth Day Network reported.