Sambro Sustainability Projects

Using Recycled Materials to Make our Soft Toys

As of January 2022, all of the filling in Sambro soft toys is 100% recycled polyester. This filling is created from post-consumer plastic (mostly drinks bottles), so not only does it eliminate the need for virgin plastic but it stops existing plastic waste going to landfill.

Prioritising Less Plastic

As part of our packaging review, we’ve taken a long look at how we use plastics. 48 of our best selling lines are now in plastic free packaging, as we substitute polybags for paper envelopes, and blister trays for moulded cardboard. Our next step is to look at materials beyond just plastic, asking is it necessary and how can we do better?

Calculating Our Carbon Footprint

We calculate our Carbon Footprint (Scope 1 & 2) each year and are proud that we have reduced Scope 2 emissions by 22% and our overall emissions by 3.4% from our base year of 2019*. We are focused on driving this down year on year; more info and our full Carbon Footprint reports can be found below.

Full Reports

Swapping to FSC Paper & Cardboard

Sambro has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council to produce paper, card and wooden products from FSC certified forests. Our first change will be swapping our cardboard packaging - from Spring 2023 all the swing tickets on our plush toys will be made from FSC card, with further product lines to follow suit.

Switching to Renewable Energy

Sambro HQ has made the change to fully renewable energy sources. 100% of our electricity supply is backed by renewable energy here in the UK, helping to reduce our carbon footprint and manage our resources for a better outcome.

Driving Down Emissions

In an effort to reduce both our Carbon Footprint and the amount of energy we use, we are evaluating how efficient our offices are, and what can be done to drive emissions down. Lighting has been switched to LED bulbs, and put on timers where appropriate. Unused machinery has been removed and recycled, and staff have been educated on what they can do to help!

Rethinking our Packaging

We have reviewed our entire range of products and asked ‘is the packaging fit for purpose?’ ‘How could it be better?’ Our Design and Product team have worked closely to make sustainable changes - reducing packaging where possible and removing unnecessary elements. We have also introduced re-usable zip-lock bags for many of our seasonal items- removing the need for disposable plastic bags.

Removing Small Things To Make a Big Difference

Removing Small Things to make a Big Difference

We're removing the plastic tags from our plush toy swing tickets. Although tiny, removing these will save at least 805kg of plastic from being thrown away each year, that's the weight of 33,532 plastic bottles!

* Scope 1 and 2 Carbon Emissions calculated in accordance with the GHG Protocol and include all Sambro operated premises (Amsterdam, UK and HK)