'Build A Terrible T-Rex Head' is one of the products available from Pack a Range.
Published: October 31, 2021 | Updated: 31st October 2021
It’s a source of great pride to James Martin.
The actions of his company, Mauveworx, helped protect many thousands during the pandemic by becoming one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of PPE face shields for the NHS.
But there was a downside.
The necessity to protect the nation quickly, and in large numbers, resulted in a rapid rise in single use plastic waste.
It didn’t sit easy with the 53-year-old father of five, pictured left.
He was also becoming increasingly frustrated at the amount of plastic toys building up around his home.
When James started doing some detailed research, the results shocked him.
He said: “The toy market is a $20bn a year industry, of which 90 per cent contains plastic.
“Unlike single use plastics, such as drink bottles, the toy market is not geared towards recycling with most ending up in oceans or landfill.
“Also, a recent study of 2,000 parents found that 25 per cent admitted to throwing away plastic toys that were in perfect working order.
“These alarming figures compelled me to take urgent action, which would enable a way for playtime to not only be fun, but also eco-friendly.”
The action?
A new business called Pack a Range providing toys to build, play and learn from.
All plastic free with the exception of five – and Pack a Range is working hard to make those plastic free as well.
Some designed in-house, such as Pack a Den and Pack a Desk.
Others from like-minded brands sharing the same sustainable ethos.
Using carefully selected materials and processes, such as recycled cardboard, to ensure a positive impact on the environment.
And manufactured and shipped from the warehouse in Dorset.
James said: “We were keen to provide a range of different products to appeal to different ages – from three to teens – and different budgets (£5 to £50) to allow plenty of choice.
“Whether you’d like a T-Rex mask, a DIY wooden model musical box, a den to play and colour in or an educational 3D map of the universe, we offer a very diverse range of toys to suit many tastes.”
The launch of Pack a Range couldn’t be better timed.
World leaders meet in Glasgow for COP26, the United Nations Climate Change Summit, from November 1 while the eight week countdown to Christmas is well and truly underway.
Pack a Range is a division of Mauveworx which was founded in 1968 as SPS.
The Ferndown-based company now employs 110 people and has an annual turnover of £11 million.
