Hong Kong toy manufacturers are committed to developing environmentally friendly toys and providing green supply chain solutions, as sustainability becomes a driving force in the economy.
BanaToys, established in 2005, provides toy suppliers and retailers with services throughout the green supply chain, offering solutions in R&D, design, manufacturing and sales. The company uses post-consumer recycled resin (PCR) and ocean bound plastic (OBP) recycled materials as the main toy-production feedstock and has obtained green factory certification, boosting sustainable development in the industry.
BanaToys seeks to promote green development of the toy industry. Michelle Chen, BanaToys Vice President, said that in order to meet the needs of global partners for green toys, the company launched the Rescue the Earth Plan. The firm deploys green materials in printing, packaging and other components, in addition to toy production, in its aim to reduce carbon emissions.
She said: “We must be responsible for the world’s environment and encourage the global toy supply chain to upgrade from green production to green consumption. The plan has so far involved cooperation with more than 100 countries, over 100 chain stores, more than 600 dealers and agents, and up to 1,500 retail partners with 120 qualified suppliers.”
BanaToys has set up factories in Guangdong and established companies in Hong Kong and the United States, using the complementary production and sales advantages of the three places to enhance market competitiveness. Most of their current customers are from Europe and the United States, followed by the Asia-Pacific region.
The firm plans explore the huge consumer markets of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which includes ASEAN.
Ms Chen said: “We have set up an APAC marketing team to focus on market research and business development in ASEAN and RCEP to help brands launch agency business.”
BanaToys will keep sustainable development at the core of its marketing strategies: “We focus on purchasing PCR and OBP recycled materials, bio-based materials, Forest Stewardship Council paper, among others, to create green-star rated products, reduce product carbon emissions and provide customers with affordable products.”
“Green products with carbon footprint certification can help customers reduce carbon tariffs. We also have green factory certification and have become a green supplier, which will help the toy manufacturers we cooperate with to obtain government green subsidies and reduce production costs.”
The company has boosted its green profile by actively participating in the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair since 2007, using the international exhibition platform to boost its green supply chain efforts.
BanaToys also uses HKTDC platforms to expand into new markets.
The brand displayed high-quality toys made of environmentally friendly and recycled materials in the Green Toys zone at the HKTDC Toys & Games Fair in January.
“We are satisfied with the results of our participation in the exhibition. At this year’s Toy Fair, we attracted nearly 10 major customers from the top 250 global retail companies, and they are all very interested in our green toy brand. We also launched new products at the Toy Fair and obtained orders from new and old customers.”
