PlanToys
Better kids for a better world
Who They Are
Seven university graduates had one mission back in 1981: fill the world with positive vibes. And that’s exactly why Vitool Viraponsavan, one of the seven, led the charge for them to create PlanToys–to inspire children and families over the world. Their steadfast determination to sustain the environment and economy through innovative, eco-friendly toys grew PlanToys from a small, local wooden toy company to a leader in the sustainable toy industry.
Flash forward 37 years and PlanToys has grown immensely, receiving world class recognition and international awards for their innovative wooden toys. They began humbly as the first company in the world to manufacture wooden toys from reclaimed rubberwood trees–and grew quickly to an international force in business due to their high quality products focused on child development.
From the materials they source, to the production and manufacturing they use, PlanToys is wholeheartedly committed to minimizing the environmental impact of all their products–while also educating children on why sustainability is so important! Labeled “Sustainable Play”, this line is the fundamental foundation of how PlanToys nurtures creative minds–bringing children to understand what nature give to them, and how they can give back to nature. They know that children growing up with these toys will have the knowledge and values to respect and preserve natural resources for future generations, making the world a better place.
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Why We Like Them
PlanToys prides their business model around three pillars: Sustainable Materials, Sustainable Manufacturing, and Sustainable Mind. Thanks to their dedication to creating a more sustainable world, they ensure every aspect of their business is conducted with deep consideration for the natural environment–working with it, instead of against it.
Sustainable Materials
At the base of all PlanToys products is rubber trees and sawdust. Yep, sawdust! They start by sustainably harvesting wood from natural rubberwood trees that can no longer produce latex. These rubberwood trees are fertilizer-free for several years, to further ensure that all the wood that ends up in PlanToys products are chemical-free. From there, the reclaimed rubberwood gets paired with something called “PlanWood”–made from surplus sawdust and wood chips from production reformed using a thermal process. This process creates durable, colorful toys that will last you for years. To make the wood even more durable, they finish off their products with a chemical-free kiln-drying process.
PlanToys knows that it’s important to look at all the materials–not just the ones that are easy to see. That’s why they employ E-Zero Non-Formaldehyde Glue to combine the products, instead of traditional toxic wood glue. When dying their products, they use water-based dyes that contain no lead or heavy metals–but with all the bright color you love. Finally, they use recycled paper and biodegradable soy inks on all their printed materials, proving once again the difference that attention to detail makes.
Sustainable Manufacturing
To make sure all PlanToys products are up to the highest standards, they employ various sustainable manufacturing techniques, and internally conduct quality assurance tests on their production before sending them out to a third party for international testing. This has allowed their products to not just meet, but exceed, international safety standards including both ASTM (USA) and EN71 (Europe). Additionally, they have received the OHSAS 18001 certification for a healthy work environment in terms of safety and health standards for employees in the office and the factory. They also received a SA 8000 certification for enhancing our employees’ quality of life through equal opportunities. If that wasn’t enough, PlanToys has also been awarded the ISO 9001 certificate for world-class quality of products and services, as well as the ISO 14001 certificate for excellent environmental management!
But manufacturing is more than just awards and certifications. As a carbon neutral company, PlanToys plants trees in a local Thai city to absorb Carbon Dioxide from their production. Last year, they planted over 3,900 trees–with over 50,000 trees planted to date! Beyond that, they use solar energy and solar panels to generate the electricity that runs their PlanToys Children Museum in Trang, Thailand. Finally, nothing gets wasted at the PlanToys factory–as wood pieces and discards are fed back into their biomass gasification power plant that produces electricity for the whole factory, alongside some nearby villages.
Sustainable Mind
PlanToys mission starts, and ends, with inspiring children. They focus on this in the Sustainable Mind pillar–encouraging development and growth for children worldwide. One such initiative is the PlanToys Children Museum in Trang, Thailand, that features toys from around the world. Since it opened in 2000, the Museum has 110,000 visitors a year, and encourages education and creativity. To further encourage children to learn and develop, PlanToys created the “Children and Community Club” that encourages kids to join out-of-classroom activities, as well as free programs during school holidays!
As previously mentioned, PlanToys has a “Plan Loves Forests” reforestation program that gives back to the environment by planting trees in areas that need rehabilitation, additionally reducing the Carbon Dioxide emissions from PlanToys’ factories. With around 50,000 trees planted to date in Chaiyaphum, Thailand, PlanToys hopes to continue this inspiring program for at least another 10 years. Although these are PlanToys main initiatives, they also created the Sarnsaeng-Arun Foundation that runs a public library, park, and environmental education magazine, alongside a “Co-Op Shop” where PlanToys employees can buy goods at below market prices to support their families.
From materials, to manufacturing, to encouraging creative minds, PlanToys is truly walking the walk, and talking the talk when it comes to bettering the planet. They know our children are the future, and treat the toys they play with as such.
Sustainable Manufacturing
Sustainably Harvested Wood
Recycled Paper
Low Impact Ink
Low Impact Dyes
Some or all of the energy used to make this product is produced via renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydropower.
This product contains wood that has been sourced from sustainably managed forests. These forests are typically managed in ways that prevent overharvesting and promote the wellbeing of local ecosystems, animals, workers, and communities.
Recycled paper can contain both pre- and post-consumer recycled content. Once paper is sent to a recycling facility, it’s washed to remove any inks and converted to a watery slush called “slurry.” This slurry is spread and rolled to create different types of paper. This process keeps paper out of the landfill, prevents trees from being cut down, and saves the energy and resources needed to create virgin paper products.
Companies can adopt multiple practices to print clothing, books, and catalogs in a more environmentally safe way. Low impact inks can include vegetable, soy, or water based alternatives, and generally do not contain harmful toxins like heavy metals or phthalates.
Companies can adopt multiple practices to dye their textiles and products in a more environmentally safe way. Low impact dyes usually do not contain toxins such as heavy metals, plasticizers, fluorocarbons, and formaldehyde. Sustainable dyes can also be water or plant based, or use less water than conventional dyeing methods.
