Schleich is launching its Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze figures, the company’s first three recyclable figures — a turtle, a lion, and a bonobo — following its 2022 commitment to improving the company’s sustainability.
The Cradle to Cradle Certified Bronze figures look the same as the brand’s standard characters, but with new material. When kids no longer play with these figures, they will be able to send them in to the Schleich recycling program, which is available now in Germany and will extend to other core markets by 2027.
“For several years, we looked intensively for recyclable materials that are Cradle to Cradle Certified,” says Dr. Philipp Hummel, Head of Sustainability at Schleich. “We faced a range of challenges in this process: the material needs to hold the figurines’ paint, for example. There are many safety regulations for toys that must be met, and of course, the figurines need to satisfy our own Schleich quality standards. We have found a material that meets all these criteria and can be returned to the cycle in its entirety.”
“Schleich figurines are made to bring joy to many generations of children,” says Stefan De Loecker, Schleich CEO. “This longevity is the most sustainable form of consumption, and it has an emotional value, too: our figurines are more than just toys. They have been loyal friends and companions for years and years. Children look after them and protect them. But we want to go even further. If a character does end up abandoned by its owner eventually, it can take on a new shape without losing its high quality. We are proud to be the first brand to offer Cradle to Cradle Certified toy figurines, and we are convinced that this approach is the way forward.”
By 2027, the majority of Schleich’s figures will be Cradle to Cradle certified. Starting next year, Schleich will launch more recyclable figurines every year. The first three figures are available now at us.schleich-s.com.
