ImagiPLAY - Arctic Expedition

ImagiPLAY is committed to the development and distribution of open-ended educational toys and children's accessories that inspire their imaginations, introduce them to the wonders of the natural world around them, and nurture their sense of discovery. ImagiPLAY is equally committed to producing only high-quality products using materials and processes that show respect for our planet and all the people and creatures upon it.

Every toy they produce is earth friendly, child safe and people kind. That is their commitment to children and the planet.

What is it made of?

Everything ImagiPLAY produces is made from renewable, sustainable materials.

• Rubberwood: ImagiPLAY's solid wood toys are made from plantation-grown, chemical-free rubberwood. Rubber tree plantations have existed for hundreds of years in tropical countries. Rubber trees produce a sap that is used to make latex products. At the end of their latex-producing years (generally 25-30 years) the trees are harvested and new ones planted. The wood used to be burned, until people realized these wonderful trees had one more gift to give, that of their beautiful hardwood, which imagiPLAY uses to make their hardwood toys.
• MDF (medium density fiberboard): Some of ImagiPLAY's toys utilize MDF, which is an engineered wood product formed by breaking down softwood particles (sawdust) into wood fibers combining it with wax and resin, and forming panels by applying high temperature and pressure. In other words, compressed sawdust. Again they are utilizing the byproducts of another industry. MDF is similar to but denser than particleboard and they use it in some of their playsets to create play structures that are thin (lightweight), yet rigid. The MDF ImagiPLAY uses is formaldehyde free and tested for child safety.
• Bamboo: Bamboo is a fast growing wood-like grass that is fast becoming popular in products ranging from cutting boards, bowls and plates to wood flooring. The beautiful natural look of bamboo is ideal for creating lovely keepsake storage boxes for some of the toys and the designers are busy developing it for use in children's toys, for which it is ideal because it is lightweight, flexible and strong. Best of all, it shows children that there are creative alternatives to ravaging forests.
• Other materials: ImagiPLAY is constantly on the lookout for other environmentally friendly materials to develop into high quality toys. If you have any suggestions, please contact ImagiPLAY at info@ImagiPLAY.com
• Minimal carbon footprint: Every step of their toy production from seed to shelf is carefully thought out to minimize impact on the earth. Most wooden toys distributed in this country are made from Pine and made in China. The raw Pine is primarily produced in Canada, shipped to China where the toy is produced then shipped back to North America as a finished product! ImagiPLAY sees this excessive shipping as a senseless waste of natural resources. They select factories that are close to their raw materials to avoid the needless expenditure of gas, oil and greenhouse gases.

ImagiPLAY is proud to contribute to the growth of many developing nations by crafting their toys in small, mostly family run factories around Asia.

The rubberwood used to make their toys is grown in Southeast Asia, so the rubberwood toys are crafted in Sri Lanka, Viet Nam and some carefully selected factories in China. ImagiPLAY also has several factories in and around Colombo, the capital city of Sri Lanka. Their factories are placed close to the neighborhoods where their workers live. The majority of the factory workers walk or ride their bikes to work each day.

The Bamboo is primarily grown in China, which is where ImagiPLAY crafts their bamboo boxes and toys and some of their Rubberwood toys.

ImagiPLAY visits every factory to insure:

• There is no child labor
• Workers are paid a fair, living wage
• Workers are provided with a clean, safe environment to work
• Workers are treated with respect and dignity
• Only local workers are utilized