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What does it mean for a toy to be truly sustainable? Nowadays, almost every store sells wooden and rubberwood toys, claiming to be eco-friendly. While they may have the right intentions, it’s essential to recognise that these products’ quality and sustainability practices can vary significantly. Each brand or manufacturer has different levels of commitment to sustainable practices in their end-to-end manufacturing processes. Not all achieve true zero-waste production, use 100% sustainable materials, or invest in the well-being of their employees with genuine dedication to the environment.
Why is this Important for you to know? It directly impacts the quality of the products you see on store shelves, your consumer choices, and, ultimately, the toys your child plays with. Moreover, it reflects your personal contribution to supporting a healthier planet for our children, their children, and generations to come.
When you’re committed to helping the environment through conscious purchasing decisions, how can you tell which brand is the best? What should you look for? Which brand should you trust?
In this article, we will help you to understand this as we delve into key criteria and indicators that distinguish genuinely sustainable and eco-friendly brands like Plan Toys from others in the market and why choosing PlanToys should make you feel good.
How to Identify Truly Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Wood Toys
Sustainability is more than a buzzword or trend; it has become necessary in our rapidly changing world. Since 1981, PlanToys has stood out as a pioneer in creating eco-friendly wooden toys that foster development and learning in children while protecting our planet. As the world’s first toy company to craft wooden toys from preservative-free rubberwood, PlanToys has been a visionary leader for over 40 years. Their commitment to sustainability, quality, and child development makes buying PlanToys a decision that feels good and does good for our planet.
The Journey of Eco-Friendly Wooden Toys: From Forest to Playroom
PlanToys is renowned for its commitment to sustainability. Their dedication begins with their innovative use of natural rubberwood trees that no longer produce latex. Instead of cutting down wild forests, they utilise reclaimed rubberwood from plantations, ensuring no trees are unnecessarily felled. This approach conserves natural forests and reduces waste and carbon emissions associated with burning unused trees. This pioneering method has earned them the distinction of being the first to use preservative-free rubberwood, setting a new standard in the toy industry.
PlanToys is dedicated to sustainable manufacturing practices, ensuring every step of the process prioritises the well-being of their employees and environmental responsibility. They achieve zero-waste production by upcycling sawdust into PlanWood, a unique material used to create dynamic, non-toxic toys. This commitment to sustainability is evident in their innovative approach, setting a high standard in the toy industry.
The Benefits of Wooden Toys for Sustainable Play
Wooden toys are not only eco-friendly but also offer numerous benefits for child development. They are durable, safe, and free from harmful chemicals, making them ideal for babies, toddlers, and preschool children. PlanToys’ range includes baby rattles, stacking toys, sorting toys, and geometric toys designed to stimulate creativity and learning. Playing is a powerful tool for development and education. The earlier children engage with educational toys, the better they develop essential skills.
Creating an Eco-Friendly Playroom
For parents looking to create a sustainable play environment, PlanToys offers a variety of eco-friendly options. From push & pull toys to sensory toys, these high-quality, premium toys are designed to last for years, making them a worthwhile investment. They also provide toy clinics to offer spare parts, ensuring that toys can be passed down through generations. Imagine a playroom filled with PlanToys’ beautifully crafted wooden toys, creating a warm, natural atmosphere that encourages imaginative play. By choosing PlanToys, parents can teach their children about the importance of sustainability and the value of quality over quantity.
Teaching Sustainability Through Play
One of the most effective ways to teach children about sustainability is through play. PlanToys’ diverse range of toys, including educational toys, Montessori toys, and bath toys, can be used to introduce recycling, conservation, and environmental stewardship concepts. For example, their Wonky Fruit & Vegetable play sets, winners of the Australian Toy Association Environmental and Sustainability award, can spark discussions about reducing food waste and the importance of healthy eating. PlanToys’ commitment to inclusivity is evident in their special needs range, designed for children with visual impairments, autism, and cerebral palsy. This focus on inclusive play ensures that all children can benefit from the educational value of their toys.
The Three Pillars of Sustainability
PlanToys’ design philosophy revolves around Sustainable Play, Sustainable Way, and Sustainable World. These pillars guide every aspect of their operations, ensuring that every toy they produce contributes to a healthier planet.
- Sustainable Play: PlanToys believes play is a powerful tool for development and learning. They design their toys to support children through their formative years, providing essential learning experiences that help shape their futures.
- Sustainable Way: From using non-toxic materials to ensuring the well-being of its employees, PlanToys pays close attention to every step of its manufacturing process. It maximises the use of natural resources and aims to create zero waste, illustrating its commitment to sustainability.
- Sustainable World: PlanToys’ mission goes beyond their toys. They support projects that benefit society and the environment, sharing their “Better Kids, Better World” values through Sustainable Play.
Award-Winning Eco-Friendly Toys Setting New Standards in Sustainability
How else are Plan Toys Different? Here are five reasons why:
- Award-Winning Eco-Friendly Toys: PlanToys has received numerous accolades for its dedication to sustainability. In 2023 and 2024, it won the Australian Toy Association Environmental and Sustainability Award for its Green Doll House and Wonky Fruit and Vegetables playsets. These awards highlight its innovative approach to eco-friendly toy making. You can read more about PlanToys achievements in their sustainability report here.
- More Sustainable Than FSC Certified Brands: While FSC certification is a global standard for sustainable wooden toys, PlanToys goes a step further. They never cut a single tree down from wild forests. PlanToys uses rubber trees from plantations that have ceased latex production, avoiding the need to cut down wild forests. This sustainable practice contributes to environmental conservation by minimising deforestation while still utilising valuable resources. Instead, they use rubber trees that have completed their latex-producing cycle, which would otherwise be burned. This approach is even more sustainable than FSC-certified brands, making PlanToys a superior choice for eco-conscious consumers.
- PlanToys’ Commitment to the Community and Environment: PlanToys is deeply committed to the well-being of its employees and the environment. They have established the PlanToys Employees Savings Cooperative Limited to provide financial support and have allocated space within their factory for vegetable gardens to reduce workers’ expenses. They also engage employees in organic rice planting activities with local farmers, promoting sustainability and self-sufficiency.
- Inclusive Play for All Children: PlanToys strives to make play accessible to all children. They have initiated projects like the PlanToys Bring Smile and Mum-Made Toy project, which designs toys for special needs children, focusing on visual impairment, autism, and cerebral palsy. They have also set up toy libraries at their factory and public libraries in Trang, providing free toy lending services.
- Social Contributions and Environmental Impact: PlanToys contributes part of its sales proceeds to social development projects. For instance, it donates $1.60 AUD for every Wonky Fruit & Vegetable Set sold to Kromkommer, an organisation that raises awareness about food waste. It also donates $10 from each Walking Elephant purchase to the Save Elephant Foundation Thailand.
Why Buying PlanToys Should Make You Feel Good
When you choose PlanToys, you’re not just buying a toy but supporting a legacy of environmental responsibility. With a history predating the ‘eco-friendly’ trend, PlanToys crafts durable, timeless toys that promote sustainable play. Their preservative-free rubberwood and zero-waste practices set them apart, offering high-quality educational toys while contributing to a better world. Consider PlanToys for your child’s next gift—an eco-conscious brand making a real impact.
For over 40 years, PlanToys has led sustainable toy manufacturing, using reclaimed rubberwood and emphasising zero-waste production and social responsibility. Their three pillars—Sustainable Play, Sustainable Way, and Sustainable World—embody a mission to nurture better kids and a better world. With a focus on durability, education, and environmental impact, PlanToys stands as a standard-bearer for truly sustainable, eco-friendly wooden toys.
For more information, visit PlanToys and check out their sustainability report. You can also watch their inspiring journey here and explore their range at Discount Toy Co. For more videos, visit their YouTube channel.
Choose PlanToys and do our planet a favour!
Exclusive Offer for Kiddipedia Readers
As a special treat, Kiddipedia readers get exclusive access to a limited-time deal: Spend over $40 on PlanToys and receive a free gift. T&Cs apply. Offer ends 31 July 2024 to redeem the free gift at Discount Toy Co Australia, while stocks last. This special offer is perfect for introducing these visionary toys into your home and starting your journey towards sustainable play
Media kindly brought to you by Modern Brands
