our environment
materials
A very important part of designing a product concerns the materials it is made of. In the search for the right material, you need to take many aspects into account. Each type of product has different demands when it comes to the material. The material needs to the most suitable choice for the age group and for fulfilling the functions of the product for a long period of time, while also taking the sustainable impact of the material into account. It is a process of carefully balancing out all the aspects of each material in order to determine which material to use.
• backpacks & bottles •
For the backpack range we have also chosen a natural and renewable material instead of petroleum based solutions. Each backpack is completely made of cotton and therefore does not involve any harmful substances. Because we want our products to last, we have added an acrylic coating. This way the backpack actually keeps itself clean, making sure toddlers can enjoy it for a long period of time. Add our stainless steel drinking bottle, and toddlers can start their time at school in sustainable style! Stainless steel is the perfect, durable alternative to single use plastic bottles. The bottle is light, resistant to impact and does not release any toxic substances into the water it holds. For the cap of the drinking bottle we have chosen a strong, food safe and recyclable PP with Tritan spout. By choosing this material we can be sure that the bottle is leak-proof.
Did you know that ...
... our new animal friends from the Back-to-School range are made from recycled cotton? With no loss of quality, we reuse fabrics that would otherwise go to waste.
• tableware •
Our two tableware collections bring joy to the table, without harming our playground. The Bliss Tableware range is made of plant-based plastic. This material is called PLA which stands for PolyLactic Acid. It is made from renewable, biological resources (like corn, sugar cane, agricultural waste, etc) instead of petroleum. The production of PLA uses less energy than conventional plastics and the material contains no toxins. The material can be recycled and is biodegradable under industrial circumstances. The Animal Tableware range is made of 100% silicone, a material perfectly suited for tableware and young children. It does not break and is safe to use in the microwave, dishwasher, freezer and oven. Even with intensive use, the tableware will stay in good shape and can easily be passed down to little brothers, sisters or friends. Since it is 100% silicone, it can be recycled multiple times.
• plush animals •
In order to cuddle without a care, our stuffed animals and the cuddly range of plush toys are made of organic cotton with a recycled polyester filling in their tummies. The perfect little friend for children as these toys are good for endless cuddles, free from any harmful substances. The recycled filling is the ultimate way to close the loop and reuse instead of making more waste.
• 100% natural rubber toys •
The little ones can enjoy a range of animal friends and teethers made from 100% natural rubber. These fun friends fulfil their purpose of being the perfect entertainment for babies as teethers and bath toys. They highly support the development of all senses as their fun shape, texture and soft touch give newborns and babies a lot to discover with both their mouth and hands. The material is perfect for this young age group as it is 100% natural, very light and soft. All items are carefully handpainted with water based paints which are totally harmless for babies.
• wooden toys & cardboard
games & books •
In our world of toys, the choice of which material is used is also not taken lightly. We are determined to always find the best possible option for children and the planet.
When it comes to the cardboard range and wooden toys, all items bear the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The FSC label guarantees that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible manner. It ensures that the wood can be traced back to forests that are responsibly managed, socially beneficial, environmentally conscious, and economically viable. The ink used on the cardboard range is made from soy. All paints used for the wooden toys are water-based and therefore safe for children and the environment.
• nursery textiles •
When it comes to our nursery range, we find it important to use a natural material, that feels soft and comfortable, but is also strong enough to withstand many washings without affecting the quality of the products. Therefore, we use high quality organic cotton as much as possible. We pay extra attention to products that come into close contact with babies’ and children’s skin. All our underwear & clothing fabrics are GOTS-certified and OEKO-tex 100 certified. This means you can rest assured that these items do not contain any harmful substances. On top of that, the fabric is incredibly soft! We literally aim to create a safe haven for your newborn.
• 100% recycled raincoats •
When the product function and age group allow it, we prefer recycled materials. For our raincoats, this was exactly the case. The raincoats are made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Plastic bottles are intercepted from the flow of plastic waste and transformed to yarns that can be used to make durable, high quality fabrics. It takes about 40 bottles to make a beautiful raincoat that can be used for years and passed on to siblings or friends afterwards. For the matching umbrella's, recycled polyester is also used, creating a wonderful sustainable range that stimulates outdoor play!
Do you want to know more
about our labels & certificates?
packaging
Another important aspect is the packaging of our products. In order to keep our playground as green as possible, we try to reduce packaging to the minimum. It is important to recognise how important packaging is. The goal of packaging is to protect a valuable product, making sure it enters the shops without any damage and can be taken home by consumers in perfect shape. In our sustainability strategy, we try to meet this important function while using as little material as possible, keeping our environmental impact at a minimum.
We therefore aim to protect our products with compostable bags; this way the product can’t get dirty when being shipped from supplier to our warehouse and from our warehouse to the shops. If compostable bags are not (yet) available, we choose an easily recyclable PE-LD bag.
In the shops we make sure the products are nicely presented and that they hold all the important information, while limiting the packaging to a minimum. We have removed all plastic packaging for in store products and work with hangtags and cardboard to share information about the product.
transportation
Transportation also takes up an important part in the sustainability challenge. We aim to produce close to our resources. This way we can reduce a significant part of transport.
The organisation of bulk products is carefully managed so we can combine as many orders as possible. When finished products are being shipped to our warehouse, they are grouped in transportation to maximize efficiency. Once they arrive at our logistical partner, our products are ready to discover the world!
Another way to optimize the transport to our retailers, is making sure orders are smartly combined; this means that only boxes that are filled in an efficient manner leave the warehouse. Our logistics partner greatly helps us in improving this matter on a day by day basis.
smart product/purchase management
Our world of imagination is filled with wonderful products. Our sustainable approach towards this product range also comprises good product management. This means we have a smart purchase policy with exact estimations so that what we order matches market demand. This way production can be optimized. Resources are well managed, production lines are efficiently arranged and shipments contain just the right amount of products.
Do you have questions about our sustainability approach?
Consider all of us as your Trixie family. Doubts, questions, clarifications? Ask us anything you would ask your family. We aim to give you a clear and honest answer to all of your questions.
Send an email to hello@trixie-baby.com, we will be happy to help you!