IKEA has announced its latest collection, SANDLÖPARE, a new children’s collection inspired by the adventurous African savannah, available to buy in-store and online now.
The 29-piece collection has been developed in collaboration with the Swedish wildlife conservation centre Nordens Ark, to inspire families to learn more about and care for endangered animals through play and storytelling.
Featuring a variety of products, SANDLÖPARE is designed to spark exploration, imagination, and role play into the everyday life. Here, stools become zebras, rugs are snakes, and with the quilted mat and storage trunk a child’s bedroom turns into a savannah camp site.
IKEA is committed to the purpose of preserving, protecting and enhancing the planet’s natural environment and animals. That’s why, from 13th October to 30th November, £1 from every sale of IKEA soft toys including SANDLÖPARE will support WWF, the leading global environmental charity, working to restore nature around the globe.
WWF is the world’s leading conservation organisation, working to create a world where people and nature can thrive together. From protecting wildlife and restoring habitats to tackling climate change and promoting sustainable lifestyles, WWF works around the globe to help build a future where nature is in recovery and people live in harmony with the planet.
Claudia Codsi, director of partnerships at WWF-UK, said: “We’re delighted that IKEA are continuing to support WWF and our mission to bring our world back to life.
“Funds raised by IKEA’s soft toy collection will support WWF’s vital conservation projects in Southern Kenya and Northern Tanzania, where we are working to secure critical wildlife corridors and safeguard biodiversity while rewarding communities protect nature.
“The SANDLÖPARE collection brings the joy of play together with a purpose, turning playtime into caring for the wildlife we share our world with.”
Through the partnership and valuable expertise of Nordens Ark, the SANDLÖPARE collection also gives a voice to less known and endangered species. Over the next few years, IKEA of Sweden AB will support Nordens Ark by raising awareness for endangered species, while Nordens Ark will continue to share its knowledge and support in developing new products that aim to evoke children’s curiosity about our planet, nature, the animals and how important they are.
“At IKEA, we believe in creating a better everyday life for the many people, and that includes a healthy planet for all living things,” says Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner IKEA UK & Ireland. “Through this partnership with WWF, we can directly contribute to protecting the incredible work they do in shaping a future where people and the planet can peacefully coexist. The fact that these playful soft toys are also made entirely from recycled materials underscores our dedication to circularity and reducing our environmental footprint.”
The SANDLÖPARE soft toys are all made of 100% recycled materials**, this includes the filling, skins, threads and reinforcements. Testing plays a crucial role in the development of soft toys. They all undergo rigorous testing before reaching the stores. There are pull tests, testing for chemicals and durability as well as multiple rounds in the washing machine, to ensure that each soft toy keeps it shape.
Jorge Omar Santoyo Henaine, product design developer, IKEA of Sweden AB claimed, “We know what these soft toys go through when they come to a home. There will be biting, chewing, pulling, picking and probably a few rounds of playing in the mud too. As they should! For SANDLÖPARE, the neck of the giraffe was the biggest challenge, because the neck still needs to stand firm after some rounds in the washing machine. At the same time, the neck needs to feel soft, not like you’re holding a baseball bat. It was a puzzle, but we managed and are super happy with the result.’’
The SANDLÖPARE collection is available in IKEA stores and online now.
