Our Commitment

Aims and Ethos

We strive to minimise the environmental impact of Munchkin and Me’s sessions by promoting sustainable practices and encouraging awareness among all of our preschoolers (age appropriate), parents and carers.

Our goal is to reduce our environmental footprint where practicable and suitable for the services we provide in the community.

We aim to

Reduce carbon emissions associated with all of our sensory play activities through promoting and encouraging the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials in all of our activities and highlight the importance of environmental conservation.

Reduce waste, conserve energy, and make environmentally conscious choices in all aspects of our sessions.

Encourage our suppliers and venues to be green responsible.

Recycle at every opportunity.

Repair, rather than throw away, when we can.

To help achieve this, Munchkin and Me will;

• Actively promote awareness training for all franchisees and staff on sustainable practices.

• Promote environmental awareness and responsibility amongst the Munchkin and Me family and seek where practical to continuously improve our environmental performance.

• Minimise waste, promote recycling and the use of suitable recycling facilities at our venues.

Our Policy

Munchkin and Me recognises that our work may have a direct or indirect effect on the local environment. We are therefore committed to reducing any harm this may cause. Our carbon footprint - green policy is to constantly look for ways in which we can improve our green credentials. We will focus on:

Energy Conservation

• Seek to ensure that all our venues have effective green-policies, for example, use energy-efficient lighting in all play areas.

• Ensure all electrical equipment is turned off when not in use. Opt for energy-efficient lighting and appliances.

• Schedule activities to maximise the use of natural light.

• Where age-appropriate, encourage children to be “energy police” and teach them safely about the natural world around them.

Materials and Supplies

• Prioritise the use of eco-friendly, non-toxic, and biodegradable materials.

• Use reusable or recyclable items wherever possible (e.g., washable play mats, wooden toys).

• Minimise the use of single-use plastics and packaging.

• Natural cleaning products - Use natural and eco-friendly cleaning products whenever possible. Avoid harsh chemicals.

• Raise awareness of the benefits of alternative cleaning solutions using vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils (where safe for the age and health status of children in attendance).

Waste Management

• Seek to ensure that all of our venues implement a comprehensive recycling program for paper, plastic, glass, and metal.

• Encourage the use of digital communications to reduce paper waste.

• Compost organic waste generated from any natural play materials.

• Introduce preschoolers to topics about recycling, composting, and reducing waste.

• Utilise reusable containers.

Transportation

• Promote car sharing, public transportation, or walking if practicable.

• Organise events and sessions in locations accessible by sustainable transport options where available.

• Offset transportation emissions by supporting local environmental projects where practicable.

Water Usage

• Seek to use venues that use water-efficient fixtures (e.g. in bathrooms and kitchen areas).

• Educate customers on water conservation practices e.g .collecting and use rainwater for activities such as sensory water play (where age-appropriate and safe for preschoolers).

Education and Awareness

• Incorporate environmental awareness into sensory play activities.

• Encourage participants to adopt eco-friendly practices at home e.g. to repurpose safe items for art and construction.

• Explore local flora and fauna during outdoor play in an age-appropriate setting through garden and farming stories.

• Foster creativity by providing loose parts (e.g., age appropriate sticks, stones, fabric scraps) and recycled materials for play.

Monitoring and Improvement

• Review and assess the carbon footprint of Munchkin and Me on an annual basis, but we will continually endeavour to improve our practices.

• Consider venue carbon footprint policies when engaging with a new location.

What we intend to do in the future

• Solicit feedback from customers during sessions and make improvements based on their suggestions (subject to safety and age-appropriate standards).

• Where possible, we will source our materials and venues from suppliers who operate in an environmentally friendly manner.

• Where possible we will operate in venues that are local to help to reduce road traffic and carbon emissions.

Conclusion

It is our intention to operate Munchkin and Me in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way. By adhering to this policy, we commit to reducing our carbon footprint and promoting a healthier environment for future generations.

We will continuously strive to improve our practices and inspire others to join us in this important effort.