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About Makes A Change's Fair Trade, Eco Friendly Wooden Toys and Nursery Products, and Fair Trade Teddies

The manufacturer of Makes a Change's fair trade, eco friendly wooden toys and Fair Trade teddies was set up in 1994 by husband and wife team Upul and Diane, with the aim of providing an outlet for items produced by small craft enterprises in Sri Lanka, following their experiences of living and working in Sri Lanka. As time went on they developed a product range of educational toys and gifts for young children utilising Diane's teaching and playwork background.

Ethical Toys
All their products are handmade by seven family based enterprises with whom they have long term working commitments. New products are designed in the UK for each supplier to utilise their individual knowledge and skills. The aim is to provide continual employment throughout the year for each supplier, their families and their employees. A representative is employed full time in Sri Lanka to coordinate shipments, liase with the UK on behalf of our suppliers and to arrange prompt payment for the toys.

Each Sri Kankan business is independent. They do not use middlemen, thus enabling the suppliers to receive a fair and full price for their products. Regular onsite visits throughout the year both direct from UK, and weekly by the Sri Lankan co-ordinator, ensure that all suppliers maintain a safe and pleasant working environment, equal opportunities, good rates of pay, prompt payment for both employees and in country suppliers, and a quality product at a fair price.

Children are not involved at any stage of the production and the company has been approved by BAFTS (British Association of Fair Trade Shops) since 2001 as a fair trade supplier.

Environmentally Friendly Toys
Our eco friendly wooden toys are made from rubberwood which is sourced from exhausted rubber plantations that are replanted every 10 – 15 years. If the wood wasn't used for these toys it would simply be burnt.

Recycled packaging is used by the manufacturer wherever possible (such as for distribution to retailers), and then Makes a Change re-uses protective packaging such as bubble wrap supplied as part of our deliveries to pack the toys and send them to you.

All of the actual toy packaging is PVC free.

Interested in seeing more?

Please Click On any of the following links:

Our Fair Trade Nursery and Bedroom Mobiles are Here

Our Fair Trade, Eco Friendly Jigsaw Puzzles are Here