Being Honest about Sustainability: the Wigi Way

As with parenting, we strive for perfection in other areas too. In a perfect world, we'd love to operate with zero impact on the environment – producing, selling and shipping products in a way that leaves no footprint. But is it even possible to be 100% green? In the "perfect vs. as good as it is actually possible" dilemma, Wigiwama chooses the latter and stays honest about it. Let's find out why.

'Sustainability is a journey, not a destination that can be reached once and for all, right?'

The journey towards sustainability for a company like Wigiwama is a complex one, with many challenges. Each step requires thorough analysis and research, and when you look closer, you may find that there are still two sides to the coin. Renewable energy, for example, is becoming increasingly available, but is not yet suitable for all businesses and not always reliable. Then, the production of sustainable materials may be less sustainable than we would like it to be. And sadly, sometimes the best intentions can have unexpected negative consequences (e.g. deforestation or other ecological imbalances).

We believe that a balanced and honest approach is more practical and healthier. Having the “as good as it is actually possible” mantra in mind not only keeps us grounded and less stressed, but also motivates us to set realistic goals and take feasible yet meaningful steps, one at a time.

Here's what we're doing to ensure our products are as sustainable as possible:

  • We choose timeless design rather than short-lived trends. Our products have an original aesthetic and practical design, developed from scratch, that will remain relevant and useful for many years.

  • We source responsibly, with durability and longevity in mind. The fabrics that we use are durable and have been made to withstand the rigours of daily use by active children. Our furniture is designed to last, reducing the need for frequent replacement and the overall environmental impact.

  • We use materials that are recycled or recyclable. We prioritise the use of materials that are safe for children and the planet. We ensure that all the textiles we use are OEKO-TEX® certified (the highest level of textile classification) and our GRS® certified corduroy is made from recycled PET bottles. The filling for beanbags and cushions is non-toxic and hypoallergenic. Although EPS beads are not biodegradable, they can be reused and recycled.

  • We minimise transport-related CO2 emissions by managing a short-distance production chain in our own factory in Latvia. The longer the distance materials and products have to travel, the higher the associated emissions from fuel consumption.

  • We reduce the use of plastic wherever possible. Packaging waste is an important environmental issue. We use recyclable and biodegradable materials for our packaging (cardboard boxes, water-based inks, recyclable paper tape) to minimise landfill waste. Our branded product bags are made from recycled plastic and can be reused many times. We generally avoid excessive packaging. 

  • We use GoGreen carbon neutral delivery for all shipments. This may sound misleading as you might think there is no carbon footprint at all. But in this case, it means that all transport related CO2 emissions are calculated and then offset through climate change initiatives. 

  • We support reforestation initiatives! We have joined the Tree-Nation programme and donate €1 from every purchase in our e-store to planting trees, which is one of the most effective ways to fight climate change. We are glad to see our forest grow bigger every day – check the counter at the bottom of the page for the latest figures!  
In just five months, with your support and help from Tree-Nation, we've planted over 1000 trees worldwide
visit Wigiwama Forest
Join us on our journey

Is there room for improvement? Always. But knowing there's more work to do doesn't stop us from being proud of the efforts we're making today, even if they're not 100% perfect. After all, sustainability is a journey, not a destination that can be reached once and for all, right? We'll keep being honest with you about where we are and what we do, and hope you'll join us on this journey by making thoughtful choices.

Thank you for being part of our community and let's make a difference together! 

With love, Wigiwama