And for its next trick, PlanToys will turn sawdust into toys

Wednesday 13 June

And for its next trick, PlanToys will turn sawdust into toys

Long before it was considered the "right thing to do", one of our favorite toy companies, PlanToys was making imaginative, eco-friendly toys in cool, modern shapes and bright colors. While they've pushed the standards in environmentally friendly business practices over the past 30+ years, we are so impressed by their latest innovation.

With over two tons of rubberwood sawdust generated daily, PlanToys has come up with a brilliant solution to what has always been just "waste." They take the sawdust and squish it together under such great pressure that it creates a solid material which only needs a wee bit of formaldehyde-free glue to hold it together. Known as PlanWood, it has a look that reminds me of Sprig Toys: It's almost plastic looking, and just dappled in color.

Instead of coming out with a whole new line of toys, PlanToys is now rolling out PlanWood in some of their most popular themes, like the well-known alligator pull-toy and their stacking rings.

Though they are priced identically on KangarooBoo (one of our favorite mom-run toy shops online) there are a couple of differences between the PlanWood and solid wood toys. For one, the new PlanWood toys are water-resistant so they can be washed when they get grimy. And some of the toys in the PlanWood line are approved for even younger ages.

Kudos to PlanToys for finding a way to use up every last part of that rubber tree plant. We have high hopes for what you'll do next. -Christina

PlanToys new PlanWood line is available on KangarooBoo.

Find More: Toys and Other Playthings

Comment Policy: In an attempt to maintain a positive, productive, supportive community at Cool Mom Picks, we have the right to reject comments that are off-topic, self-promotional, inflammatory, or that bum us out for any reason. But you wouldn't do that anyway - you're too cool.