Gifts & Greetings Review was thrilled to discover the beautiful and sustainable Tikiri Toys, a well-established manufacturer of eco-friendly children’s gifts which is brand new to the UK market.
Based in Sri Lanka and already distributed in several other countries, Tikiri offers a safe, environmentally responsible alternative to plastic toys. It is estimated that 90% of all plastic toys will end up in the ocean at some stage, so simply by avoiding products made from this material, both retailers and consumers can make a big difference to the health of our ocean life. Committed to the betterment of the Community, Tikiri has initiated a ‘clean beach’ project and, particularly during monsoon season, provides food, shelter and clothing to flood-affected families.
The super cute My First Tikiri range includes three different animal collections, including My First Tikiri Ocean Buddies, My First Tikiri Farm and My First Tikiri Safari. Dinosaurs, dragons, unicorns and other fairytale designs are also available. Products are manufactured from ethically sourced, organic, chemical-free rubber, eco-friendly cotton and other sustainable materials.
The corporate culture within the Tikiri company is likewise ethical and committed to employee welfare programmes and community projects. Each time a Tikiri toy is bought in the UK, a child or family in Sri Lanka benefits. The company provide all employees with free meals, free transport, free medical facilities and free health insurance. Children of all employees are provided with school books and bags year round.
The company has set up a UK distribution centre in Sheffield, which opened in spring 2019 and is now looking to attract retail buyers seeking super-cute children’s gifts which can meet high sustainability standards at a very competitive price point.
Well-known toy and gift industry figure, Peter Hawkins, is heading up the UK operations. He commented. “The reason I have become involved with this Sri Lankan company is entirely owing to my wife, who is Sri Lankan and left the island with her family 34 years ago. I have spent 40-plus years in various businesses in the UK and after closing my own business last year, I promised we would go back and visit. We ended up living just outside Colombo for ten months. Owing to the fragile health of my 87 year-old mother, we have returned to spend most of our time back in the UK.
“We love Sri Lanka so much and have met so many wonderful people during our time living there, we see our return as a wonderful opportunity to bring some really worthwhile projects to the awareness of people in the UK”.
Each toy in the collection pictured here is biodegradable and free of chemical by-products, meaning they are 100% non toxic and safe for newborns and toddlers, with individual items serving as an all-in-one rattle, bath toy and teether. Crafted with care in excellent production facilities in Sri Lanka, the toys are made using sustainable manufacturing processes and the purest natural rubber from the hevea plant.
Great for teething and fun to play with, they make charming gifts for the youngest of children and will help them learn to be caring young citizens of planet Earth. For every item in the Ocean Buddies collection, Tikiri will donate a percentage of sales to Plastic Oceans, to support their mission to end plastic pollution.
Any cellophane packaging used in transportation is made from natural resources and is also 100% biodegradable.
