We're celebrating Earth Day 🌍

Plastic pollution is poisoning our oceans and land, injuring marine life and affecting our health. Our planet is losing 15 billion trees each year. Children deserve healthy environments to study, learn and grow. These are just three reasons why we're celebrating Earth Day and making a stand to make a difference. Take a peek into our top 5 eco, ethical and sustainable brands who we are championing to protect our world! 

Merino Kids >>

Merino Kids use completely natural materials wherever possible in both their products and packaging. Consisting of 100% natural bleach-free merino, 100% natural organic cotton and nickel free zips and poppers you can be sure to provide the very best for your little one with absolutely no nasties. Their packaging also makes use of 100% cotton organdy fabric and recycled tissue paper.

Superfine Merino wool is naturally grown on merino sheep and is shorn each year in a humane and kind way. Of course, the merino wool naturally replaces itself as the sheep grows it's winter coat and they let nature take control. 

The merino wool is sourced in New Zealand and is spun, woven and finished in India in a sweatshop-free environment. Each factory signs the 'Code of Supplier Conduct' document which outlines the following rules and regulations for 100% transparency - 

• No child labour 
• No forced labour 
• Employees shall be treated fairly with respect and dignity 
• A safe and healthy working environment 
• Fair wages, benefits and hours of work
• Comply with legal and ethical business practices 
• Gender equality and non-disctimination

And what's more, did you know it only takes one year to decompose a merino wool fibre whilst alternative fabrics can take up to 1000 years! 

It's easy to see why we love Merino Kids - don't you agree? 

TotsBots >>

"Cloth nappies are up to 40% better for the environment than disposables" - UK Environment Agency. 

So why not give cloth nappies a go and reduce your carbon footprint by up to 40%. Afterall, just one disposable nappy can take up to 500 years to decompose! Have we got your attention now? Then keep on reading (and don't forget to check out our previous blog post on everything you need to know about cloth nappies and how to use them). 

By using cloth nappies you will divert in the region of 4000 in-disposable nappies from landfill but that's not all, TotsBots nappies are Oeko-Tex 100 certified meaning there are absolutely no harmful chemicals used in the entire manufacturing process- from start to finish. 

TotsBots source their materials as locally as possible with many fabrics manufactured right here in the UK. Wherever possible, goods are shipped by surface, which may take longer but it uses less fuel and less carbon is emitted.

Again, wherever possible TotsBots will ensure their packaging is reusable, their multi-packs come in a handy zip closing PVC bag so don't throw it away but instead use it for keeping those pens and crayons safe and organised! All single nappies and wraps are packaged in oxy-biodegradable packaging too. 

There's no wastage here! TotsBots donate nappies to Forever Angels and Watoto Kicheko - a baby home and orphanage in Tanzania to ensure every last nappy is put to good use, especially by those in need. Like many of us, they'll also recycle all plastic, cardboard and paper waste too! 

Frugi >> 

Frugi is committed to using 100% organic cotton to ensure their clothes are super soft and environmentally friendly. Eco-friendly processing and finishing means there are no harmful chemicals such as chlorine bleach, formaldehyde or dangerous dyes - this also means their range is hypoallergenic and less likely to trigger allergies in children and babies. 

Organic cotton farming supports a sustainable agriculture that keeps the soil fertile, water clean and air pure for many years to come. Plus, their farmers don't have to work with poisonous chemicals which means a happy and healthy workforce! 

There are many environmental problems linked with pesticide use including reduced soil fertility, water pollution, reduced biodiversity and livestock poisoning. On top of all that, at least 20,000 people in developing countries die every year from poisoning by agricultural pesticides - it's time to make a change. 

What's more, with Frugi not only are you buying organic you are buying ethical - they don't use child labour and all workers have rights, they work in a safe environment and are guarenteed minimum wages. 

The fabulous thing about Frugi is that their clothes are made to last and last and last. The soft organic cotton washes so well that they can be handed down through the generations and still look great - the term 'reusable' at its best! 

Finally, when we thought we couldn't love Frugi any more - they dontate 1% of their turnover to charity each year and so far have donated £428,000! Together we can make a BIG change! 

PlanToys >> 

Sustainable and stunning wooden toys made from natural rubber wood trees that no longer produce latex. They are grown naturally with absolutely no fertiliser added to the soil three years prior to the trees being cut down, this ensures the wood used to create your little one's toy is as pure as possible. You'll also find no nasties in the glue, paints or dyes. Instead, PlanToys assemble their toys using a certified E-Zero formaldehyde free glue in place of a traditional toxic wood glue. PlanToys will never use chemical dyes which often contain lead or other heavy metals but instead commits to using the best eco-friendly material and organic pigment colouring.

But it doesn't stop there, all printed material uses recycled paper and Soy ink which is more readily biodegradable and can be recycled more efficiently than standard chemical ink. 

There's no wastage over at the PlanToys factory... Surplus wood pieces from their production line are used in Biomass generators to produce electricity for the whole factory and villages around the factory! Plus, PlanToys make the most out of  surplus wood and sawdust waste by creating an innovative material known as PlanWood which is redirected back into the production process to create their adorable wooden toys. 

We're pleased to hear PlanToys are a Carbon Neutral company - last year they manufactured 2.5 million toys that released 2,569,373kg of CO2 and planted over 9,000 trees which helped asborb over 2,700,000kg of CO2 - great work PlanToys! 

We also love their Mom-Made Toys Project, an initiative where designers, engineers and mothers of children with special needs come together to create toys with very unique purposes for children with Autism, Cerebal Palsy and Visual Impairment. 

Joolz >>

Our earth could use a bit more green. That’s why Joolz will plant a tree for every customer’s baby in the Joolz Birth Forest. Simply register your pushchair on my-joolz.com and Joolz will plant your tree for you + your little one!  

Joolz works together with Tree-Nation, a planting community dedicated to fighting climate change, deforestation and poverty. The La Pedregoza Plantation is located in the Orinoco River basin in Colombia and is known as 'the lungs of the world'. Close to the rainforest, this is the perfect location to contribute to CO² reduction and brings sustainable development to the local community.

“It’s such a shame to throw away all that cardboard,” the creative director of Joolz commented one day. And that’s where it started. Joolz reverted to their youthful idealism and came up with the idea of recycling their packaging.

Both big and small cardboard boxes – unpack them first – then convert them into a bird box, a reindeer, a chair and more! So don’t throw the packaging away - recycling is better for the environment and, who knows, your little one might learn something too.

Take a peek at the Joolz Headquarters in Amsterdam. It's housed in a sustainably renovated factory with smart energy-neutral solutions such as three greenhouses that serve as meeting rooms and 200 solar panels on the roof. To support their employees’ well-being, Joolz serve healthy lunches every day and have an in-house yoga and sports facility. The building truly is the epitome of Joolz' Positive Design philosophy and takes another step towards a more sustainable world.

Discover the harmful effects of "fast fashion" here + how you can help!