Sustainability Spotlight: PlanToys

April 12, 2022 | As The Toy Association continues to track sustainability trends in the toy industry, it is highlighting the sustainability initiatives its member companies are putting into action. This week’s Sustainability Spotlight is on PlanToys.

For more than 40 years, PlanToys has built sustainability into the foundation of its business as it works toward its mission: “Better Kids, Better World.” The company has never cut down a tree to make a toy instead buying and repurposing rubberwood from the latex industry that farmers would otherwise have burned. PlanToys also only uses organic pigments, water-based dyes, and non-formaldehyde glue in all its products.

Now the company is turning its attention to keeping its toys out of landfills through its PlayCycle initiative. Designed to help extend the life of its toys, the PlayCycle program encourages families to pass along their used PlanToys playthings and, in doing so, help reduce their carbon footprint. Families can sign up to receive a PlanToys PlayCycle package and instructions on how to clean, prep, and pass on their toys. The company says if just 2,000 of its toys are “PlayCycled” it would be the equivalent to reducing CO2 emissions from driving a car around the world.

“PlayCycle is a wonderful way to support sustainable living, encourage sharing, and give wooden toys the chance to live their full play potential,” said Rudy Valenta, who leads national sales and marketing at PlanToys. “Because our wooden toys last for decades, every child who plays with them – no matter how old the toys are – benefits physically, emotionally, socially, and intellectually just as much as the previous child. By circulating toys through our PlayCycle program, we build community and support Mother Earth! The more toys we pass on, the more we can create better kids and a better world sustainable play.”

Beyond the sustainability of its products, PlanToys also offers printable coloring pages and games on its website to help educate children about sustainability.

To have your company's sustainability efforts and environmentally focused products featured by The Toy Association, contact Jennifer Lynch.