Beyond Plastic: How The Riverside Realm is Meeting the Demand for Eco-Friendly, Premium Gaming Gear

The Plastic Problem in Gaming

The board game industry has a dirty little secret that's becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: plastic. From game pieces to organizers, from cards to boards themselves, the gaming world has been flooded with disposable plastic components that often break, yellow with age, or simply get tossed when the next hot game comes along.

In 2025, with environmental awareness at an all-time high, gamers are demanding better. They're looking beyond the temporary thrill of unboxing the latest release and asking critical questions: "How long will this last?" "What materials are being used?" and most importantly, "Is there a better way?"

At The Riverside Realm, we've been asking these questions since our inception over a decade ago. The answer has always been a resounding "yes" – there absolutely is a better way to create gaming experiences that don't compromise our planet's future.

Craftsmanship as Environmental Stewardship

The movement toward sustainability in gaming isn't just about swapping out materials – it's about fundamentally rethinking how games are created, used, and valued. This philosophy guides everything we do at The Riverside Realm.

When we craft an heirloom quality game board, we're not just making something to play on for a season, We're creating something that can be passed down through generations. That's the ultimate form of sustainability!

This approach stands in stark contrast to the disposable culture that has dominated the industry. While mass-produced games might use cheaper materials and manufacturing processes to keep costs down, the environmental cost is significant – both in resources used and waste created when these games inevitably fall apart.

Heirloom Quality: The Case of Tripoley and Michigan Rummy

Nowhere is our commitment to sustainable, premium gaming more evident than in our heirloom-quality Tripoley and Michigan Rummy boards. These classic card games have entertained families for generations, but traditionally came packaged with flimsy cardboard / plastic / or felt playing surfaces that quickly showed wear and eventually found their way to landfills.

Our reimagining of these beloved games starts with material selection. Instead of processed cardboard or plastic composites, we use responsibly sourced hardwoods – primarily locally grown American Cherry – harvested from managed forests that practice sustainable logging. These materials aren't just more environmentally friendly; they create a playing surface with character, one that develops a rich patina over years of use rather than simply wearing out.

Each board is meticulously crafted in our workshop, where we employ a mix of traditional woodworking techniques and modern CNC milling that minimizes waste. Wood scraps are repurposed into smaller components for other games and projects, some is given to local homeowners with wood burning furnaces for heating, & even the saw dust is gathered and donated to a local farmer for chicken beds. Our finishing process uses all natural Boiled Linseed Oil to protect both the wood and the environment.

"The difference between a mass-produced plastic game board and one of our Tripoley boards isn't just aesthetic," notes our owner "It's the difference between something designed to be replaced and something designed to become an heirloom."

The Economics of Sustainability

There's often a misconception that eco-friendly products must necessarily be more expensive. While our premium game boards do represent an investment compared to their plastic counterparts, the economics tell a different story when viewed through a longer lens.

A typical plastic-based Tripoley set might last 5-10 years with regular play before showing significant wear. Our hardwood versions? We have customers who have been using the same board for 10+ years with no real signs of wear, with many customers are expecting to pass them down to children and grandchildren.

This longevity transforms what might initially seem like a premium purchase into an investment that pays dividends both financially and environmentally. One board that lasts 50+ years eliminates the resources and waste associated with replacing cheaper versions 5 or more times.

Beyond the Boards: A Holistic Approach to Eco-Gaming

While our Tripoley and Michigan Rummy boards showcase our commitment to sustainable craftsmanship, this philosophy extends throughout our product line. Our standard line of Scorecards and Round Trackers use high-quality, sustainable materials, ensuring that your entire gaming experience can be plastic-free. The Baltic Birch in this line of products is a great compromise between long life and a fair price point for most recreational gamers.

Don't get me wrong. We do also do a fair amount of 3D printing. We choose to use a PLA+ made using 100% virgin Natureworks 3D850 biopolymer resin that is 100% biodegradable! This might not be the cheapest filament but we are trying to do our part in creating products that will not continue to dominate landfills. We also find that when someone spends the money to purchase our premium box inserts that they are serious about protecting their investment (game) and do everything possible to take care of these inserts as well as their games.

The Community Response

The shift toward sustainable gaming isn't being driven solely by manufacturers – it's a response to changing consumer demands. Today's gamers are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of their hobbies, and they're voting with their wallets.

"I started looking for better-quality games after realizing how much waste my hobby was generating," shares Michael, a long-time customer. "Finding The Riverside Realm was amazing – suddenly I could enjoy the games I love without the environmental guilt. My Tripoley board isn't just beautiful; it's something I'm proud to own because of what it represents."

This sentiment is echoed across our customer base. Players aren't just buying a game; they're investing in a philosophy that values craftsmanship, sustainability, and longevity. The fact that these products also happen to be stunning conversation pieces is an added bonus.

The Ripple Effect

Our commitment to sustainable, premium gaming gear is having effects beyond our immediate customer base. As more players experience the difference that quality makes – both in gameplay and environmental impact – they're beginning to ask questions of larger manufacturers.

"We're seeing a shift in the industry," notes our founder. "Major publishers are starting to respond to consumer demand for more sustainable options. Some are experimenting with biodegradable components, others are offering higher-quality deluxe editions that are designed to last. It's a small start, but it's movement in the right direction."

By demonstrating that there is a viable market for eco-friendly, premium gaming products, small craftspeople like us are helping to push the entire industry toward more sustainable practices.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Eco-Gaming

As we look to the future, we see the movement toward sustainable gaming accelerating. The combination of environmental awareness, appreciation for craftsmanship, and the desire for meaningful possessions is creating perfect conditions for a renaissance in how games are made and valued.

At The Riverside Realm, we're continuing to innovate in this space. We're exploring new sustainable materials, refining our production processes to further reduce waste, and developing new designs that honor classic games while bringing them into a more sustainable future.

Our score trackers for games like Gin Rummy and Hand and Foot eliminate the need for paper scoring pads, while our custom game surfaces enhance gameplay while reducing the wear on original game components. Each product is designed with the same philosophy: create something beautiful, functional, and built to last.

Join the Movement

The choice between disposable plastic gaming gear and premium, sustainable alternatives is ultimately in the hands of consumers. By choosing products that are designed to last – like our heirloom-quality Tripoley and Michigan Rummy boards – gamers can enjoy their favorite pastimes while also contributing to a more sustainable future.

We invite you to explore our collection and join the growing community of gamers who are looking beyond plastic. Whether you're a casual player or a dedicated enthusiast, there's a place for sustainable craftsmanship in your gaming experience.

After all, the games we play bring people together across generations. Shouldn't the physical components of those games be designed to last just as long as the memories they help create?

The future of gaming isn't plastic – it's thoughtfully crafted, sustainable, and designed to become part of your family's story for generations to come.