I have always wanted to stock wooden toys and on doing some research when we first opened in october 2022 i came across Lanka kade.
They have a vast range of wooden toys both in painted and natural wood and start from as little as £2.50 upwards so there is something for everyone that wont brake the bank
As a company they recognise that some of our activities have an impact on the environment in terms of using raw materials, emissions to air and water, and waste generation. They seek to minimise this as far as reasonably practical.
Their aims for the future:
- To source a quality supply of water based paints to supplement or replace our current paint range
- To proactively seek to further reduce consumption of single use plastic
- To provide support and funding if required, for artisan groups to replace gasoline machinery with greener alternatives
- To use FSC certified paper for all promotional materials and literature
- To continue to educate our artisans about sustainability and work with them to further reduce the impact their actions have on the environment.
We decided to stock wooden toys because they are robust , durable and can be handed down from generation to generation and still look as new as when you first bought them.
Our Fair Trade Policy
Whilst in Sri Lanka in 1994, Diane and Upul met some local workers outside of a toy factory, only to discover they were ex-employees of the factory, chasing payment for work completed three months earlier. So incensed at this injustice, they decided there and then that they would only buy from people who cared about their workforce.
This was the defining moment for the business and the catalyst which established our fair trade business ethic.
We have direct trading relationships with our producers, Upul travels to Sri Lanka regularly, working with our artisans to ensure fair trade working practices are met and maintained. Our commitment to our producers supports their growth and development, whilst ensuring their employees have a sense of job satisfaction and that their employment is valued. The producer groups offer their staff good rates of pay, equal opportunities and a safe working environment in compliance with the 10 Principles of Fair Trade.
At Lanka Kade, we comply with the internationally accepted 10 Principles of Fair Trade and we have been a proud and active member of BAFTS (The British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers) since 2001, with our Director Diane chairing the board for a couple of years.
