Social and Environmental Commitment
How does Little Koko embrace Ethical Practices?
Little Koko is committed to creating safe, high-quality products that are kind to the earth and fair to the makers. Little Koko is proudly anti-plush, meaning the comforters are made using organic and natural materials to promote breathability, comfort and reduce microplastic exposure for both children and the environment. Prioritising natural fibers reduces the environmental impact of synthetic materials and ensure the products are safer for families.
Rigorous material selection, responsible manufacturing and direct engagement with the supply chain reflects Little Koko's dedication to ethical business practices. Little Koko will continue to seek innovative and sustainable solutions that benefit both customers and the planet. Little Koko believes that ethical business practices should be woven into every step from production to packaging.
Little Koko chooses small-batch production to reduce waste and uphold heirloom quality. Our first and only production run was completed in early 2021. Due to COVID-related challenges, Little Koko had difficulties sourcing preferred corn fiber stuffing and instead opted for 100% recycled stuffing. Little Koko remains committed to the original vision and look forward to our next production round featuring corn fiber stuffing as a sustainable, plastic-free and natural alternative.
Little Koko chooses small-batch production to reduce waste and uphold heirloom quality.
Rigorous Safety & Ethical Certifications:
The comforters and soundboxes undergo independent third-party testing to meet Australian Standards AS/NZS ISO 8124.1:2002 for toys designed for children aged 0-36 months. Little Koko promotes advice from Red Nose Australia regarding safe sleep environments.
Our chosen manufacturer, located in Sri Lanka, is an award-winning ethical producer with globally recognised certifications, including:
- SMETA 4-Pillar & BSCI (Grade A Certified): Verifying adherence to fair labor practices, ethical business conduct and social responsibility
- GOTS, GOLS, GRS, OCS Certifications: Ensuring the use of organic, recycled and sustainable materials in production
- Control Union Certification for Organic Toys: Meeting stringent global standards for organic materials and ethical manufacturing
First-Hand Verification & Worker Welfare:
In 2022, the Little Koko teams conducted a site visit to the Sri Lankan manufacturer at the Biyagama Export Processing Zone. Seeing the factory in action reaffirmed confidence in ethical practices. Employees were welcoming, warm and generous, which was a direct reflection of the company's investment in their wellbeing. Alongside safe environmental conditions, the company provides daily transportation, free lunches for all employees, annual medical provisions and school supplies for employees' children. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to both social and emotional well-being, fostering a workplace built on respect and unity. Throughout production, 120 skilled workers were involved in handcrafting our products and Little Koko personally visited every workstation to meet them.
Ethical Electronics Manufacturing:
Little Koko soundboxes are produced by a manufacturer in China that adheres to strict labor policies. They comply with national labor laws and industry standards, ensuring:
- No child labor, forced labor or prison labor
- Safe working conditions and fair wages
- No discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or physical ability
- Compliance with local and national laws for fair wages, compensation and benefits
By implementing these safeguards, manufacturing partners uphold ethical standards that align with Little Koko brand values and ethos.
How does Little Koko embrace sustainability?
Little Koko believes sustainability is a journey embedded within every aspect of business. Little Koko has strong interests in evaluating ways to reduce the environmental footprint, extend product life cycles and embrace regenerative solutions.
Little Koko is committed to reducing the environmental footprint by using responsible materials, ensuring ethical production processes and minimising waste. Little Koko comforter manufacturers uphold environmentally responsible practices, verified through:
- Higg Index Score of 71% – Demonstrating industry-leading sustainability performance
- Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certification – Ensuring the use of responsibly sourced recycled materials, reducing dependence on virgin resources
- SMETA 4-Pillar Certification – Covering environmental responsibility, business ethics, labor standards, and health and safety compliance
Little Koko manufacture in small batches to minimise overproduction and waste. Materials are selected with care to ensure breathability, comfort and safety for children while considering environmental impact.
Due to advancements in technology over the last two years, the next soundboxes will be rechargeable by USB, as per the original design request. This will make the soundbox battery-free.
Packaging:
Packaging should serve a purpose beyond single-use. Little Koko chooses packaging to thoughtfully encourage reusability and responsible disposal. We hold a zero-plastic approach to packaging, ensuring that all materials are either recyclable, reusable or compostable.
Climate-Conscious Shipping:
Little Koko chooses to partner with a registered B Corp courier that has earned Climate Neutral Certification. This ensures that deliveries align with carbon reduction goals, offsetting emissions and supporting climate-positive initiatives.
Upcycling Waste:
In Sri Lanka, coconut shells with natural holes are often discarded, ending up in landfills or being incinerated for charcoal. Little Koko reclaims these shells directly from a family plantation and repurpose them into Little Koko Bath-Time Coconut Shells. This initiative gives new life to a natural material that would otherwise go to waste.
By repurposing these unwanted coconut shells, Little Koko can reduce waste while offering a beautiful, functional product that enhances early childhood development and play.
How does Little Koko embrace sustainability?
Social responsibility is deeply woven into Little Koko, so the business extends beyond creating beautiful products. Little Koko is dedicated to uplifting communities, preserving cultural heritage, promoting cultural wisdom and contributing to a healthier planet.
Through ethical manufacturing, artisan support, social enterprise initiatives, education initiatives and environmental restoration, Little Koko embraces responsibility in always being kind to the earth and fair to the makers. For what better sentiment can we teach our children about the products they hold closest to their heart?
Education initiative:
Little Koko provides free 47 page psychoeducation resource called "Growing Up Connected" for subscribers on understanding the neurobiology of attachment and bonding with baby, including wellbeing resources for parents.
Ethical Manufacturing & Community Contributions:
Little Koko comforters are produced by a manufacturer certified under SMETA (Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit) and BSCI (Business Social Compliance Initiative), both of which validate high standards in labor rights, workplace safety and social responsibility. Beyond compliance, the manufacturer actively engages in corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, including:
- Dry food donations to underserved communities
- Beach cleaning projects to promote environmental sustainability
- Essential goods distribution to cancer hospitals
- Child care support programs, allocating a portion of profits to provide education and resources for underprivileged children
Additionally, the manufacturer provides direct employment for over 1,300 individuals, offering benefits that go beyond legal requirements, such as:
- Free meals and medical facilities
- Cost of Living Allowances and performance bonuses
- Annual school material distribution for employees’ children
- Free daily transportation services
Empowering Artisans & Preserving Heritage Crafts:
Little Koko works directly with local artisans in Sri Lanka to avoid mass production, ensuring that funds go directly to the makers. We love sharing stories of the makers, fostering connections between consumers and artisans and promoting ethical craftsmanship. This approach:
- Strengthens local economies and family livelihoods
- Ensures fair wages and safe working conditions
- Reduces waste through locally sourced, sustainable materials
- Helps preserve heritage crafts and cultural traditions
In 2022, Little Koko visited:
- A family-run coconut plantation and a home-based artisan who hand-polishes each Bath-Time Coconut Shell
- A mother-daughter team who hand-weaves the Natural Play Mats, ensuring purchases fully support the home-based, female-led businesses
Social Enterprise for Women’s Economic Empowerment
Little Koko launched a social enterprise initiative supporting women’s economic equality in rural Hambantota, Sri Lanka. This project:
- Produces Little Koko “Women’s Circle” cotton gift bags
- Returns 100% of profits to participants, empowering them financially
- Is expanding into a menstrual cloth pad initiative for local women, promoting sustainable feminine care solutions
Additionally, Little Koko supports an external social enterprise "Amalie’s Baby Armoire" by stocking their Wildflowers Heirloom Blanket commission-free. Based in Kandy within Sri Lanka’s hill country, this women-led and slow-fashion brand allows artisans to work from home, providing flexibility for mothers while ensuring steady income.
Environmental Commitment: Greening Australia
For every comforter sold, Little Koko donates $1 to Greening Australia, an organisation restoring landscapes and protecting biodiversity.