Wild Republic, a leader in nature-inspired toys and education for over 40 years, has revealed its new groundbreaking biodegradable toy line.
Wild Republic is a leader in sustainable toy manufacture, committed to decreasing environmental impact and promoting harmony between humans and animals. It achieves this through the development of innovative products and processes, such as the new National Parenting Product Award (NAPPA) winning line.
Holistic approach to sustainability
The new Wild Republic toy range includes the Green Guardians playsets for kids aged 3 and up. Children can choose from five themes: Rainforest Tracker, Safari Ranger, Jungle Guide, Ocean Diver, or Arctic Explorer. Each playset includes a vehicle, a human guardian of the planet, and an animal character.
These products are eco-friendly and biodegradable. Children will have hours of fun and imaginative play, and the product will then start to break down within a year after disposal. The packaging is constructed of recyclable materials and does not contain single-use plastic.
Furthermore, Wild Republic will launch Earthkins, the first line of biodegradable plush toys, in 2024. Earthkins will be a child’s best friend for many years, before being responsibly broken down and returned to the earth.
To launch these products, Wild Republic has partnered with a variety of customers, including zoos, aquaria, and independent toy stores. These outlets will receive a rush shipment of Green Guardians playsets and merchandising to create sustainable store sections.
This campaign honours Wild Republic’s partners who have motivated the organisation to pursue a holistic approach to sustainability. The partners include Franklin Park Zoo, Stone Zoo, Lake Hartwell Wildlife Safari, Learning Express Woodstock, Rainforest Adventures, Elephant Trunk, North Carolina Aquarium Society, and Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
Vishnu Chandran, Wild Republic’s CEO, says: “Our new biodegradable toy line represents a significant milestone in our—and the toy industry at large’s—journey towards a more sustainable future.
“We don’t just focus on our own products and business, but rather we are working sector-wide to urge collective action to inspire and mandate greener and more sustainable manufacturing. Our company is on a mission to spearhead and redefine our industry’s impact on the planet.”
Wild Republic’s dedication to sustainability extends throughout its innovative toy manufacturing practices. The brand’s new biodegradable toy line uses environmentally friendly materials without sacrificing quality or educational value. In addition, Wild Republic offers consumers the option to return their products for proper disposal, regardless of their location.
The launch of this biodegradable toy range aligns with the brand’s commitment to sustainability and fulfils its objective to create environmentally friendly toys that encourage children to connect with nature, thus fostering the next generation of environmentally conscious customers.
Chandran adds: “We are not just a toy company; we are storytellers, advocates and educators. It’s our responsibility to inspire children to connect with the wonders of the natural world by fostering their love for wildlife through imaginative play.”
Collective responsibility
G.B. and Kamala Pillai founded Wild Republic in 1979 to promote wildlife education and conservation by nurturing a strong bond between kids and animals through play. Its first product was a dolphin plush toy. More than forty years later, Wild Republic continues to be a leader in the fields of wildlife education and environmentally friendly toy manufacturing, in addition to being a well-known supplier of stuffed animals to zoos, museums, and aquarium gift shops worldwide.
Wild Republic’s debut of biodegradable toys is part of its continued commitment to sustainability. The organisation aims to reduce its environmental impact and set an example for others in the industry through continual improvement and innovative solutions.
In addition, The Wild Republic Conservation Fund supports animals and their habitats with every product purchase. Funded initiatives include preserving bird habitats, protecting endangered gorillas, rescuing homeless dogs and cows, and conserving rainforests.
“Our journey towards a more sustainable future is a collective effort. Together, we can build a world where humans and animals live in peace, and where our children inherit a planet rich in beauty and biodiversity,” concludes Chandran.
“As my grandmother Ammama says during her daily prayer on Mother Earth ‘May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.'”
Last year, Wild Republic celebrated the success of its founder, G.B. Pillai, who was recognised with the Champion of Sustainability award at the prestigious Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards. Pillai has led the firm in its dedication to nature and conservation for over 40 years, driving the firm to be as environmentally friendly and ethically responsible as possible. The Champion of Sustainability is a new TOTY Award category that was launched to honour an individual who has made outstanding contributions in the sector.
