Partner: Idori
Product: Benjy the Treehopper Eco-Friendly Plush
Made by: Bears for Humanity
Material: 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Plush, Kapok Fill
Overview
When Idori, an imaginative children’s brand dedicated to teaching sustainability, envisioned Benjy the Treehopper, they sought a partner who could bring their eco-friendly vision to life, without compromising on quality, safety, or sustainability.
That partner was Bears for Humanity. Together, we crafted Benjy: a lovable, educational plush that inspires children to care for the planet while embodying the very values it teaches.
“We wanted Benjy to truly represent everything our brand stands for, and to do that we needed an ethical and sustainable manufacturer.”
— Idori Design Team
The Brand: Idori
Idori creates whimsical stories and eco-friendly characters that teach children about the environment in joyful, age-appropriate ways. Each “Idorian” character represents a key sustainability theme, and Benjy the Treehopper stands for trees, forests, and land conservation.
Idori’s mission goes beyond play. For every book sold, a tree is planted, connecting each child’s experience with a tangible act of giving back.
Learn more about Idori’s sustainable world: idori.com
The Challenge
Idori needed a plush manufacturer that could translate their illustrated character into a real, huggable toy that met strict sustainability and safety standards:
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Must be certified organic and non-toxic
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Must reflect the eco-friendly values of the brand
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Must be durable, soft, and safe for children of all ages
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Must carry an authentic handmade look and feel
“Our collaboration with Bears for Humanity proved that sustainability and telling stories through plush toys can coexist beautifully.”
— Noah Sorin, Founder of Idori
The Solution
Bears for Humanity worked hand-in-hand with Idori’s design team to bring Benjy to life through a process rooted in craftsmanship, certification, and care.
Step 1: Material Selection
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Outer Fabric: 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton Velour
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Fill: Plant-based Kapok Fiber (a biodegradable alternative to polyester)
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Dyes: Water-based, non-toxic, eco-friendly pigments
Step 2: Ethical Manufacturing
Each plush was produced in our Fair Trade-Certified facilities using small artisan co-ops for cutting, dyeing, and stitching. This ensured that every Benjy was handmade with love, following the highest ethical standards.
Step 3: Quality & Safety Assurance
Rigorous testing ensured that Benjy met international children’s plush safety standards. Every seam, dye, and fiber was checked for durability and purity.
“From concept to cuddle, Benjy embodies what’s possible when creativity meets conscious manufacturing.”
— Vijay Prathap, CEO, Bears for Humanity
The Result
🌱 A Plush with a Purpose
Benjy the Treehopper is now one of Idori’s flagship eco-friendly toys; he’s a tangible reminder that sustainability can be playful, colorful, and emotionally engaging.
💚 Education Through Play
Benjy helps children learn about trees, forests, and the environment through story-based learning. In classrooms and homes, he’s inspiring new generations of nature-lovers.
🌍 A Model for Sustainable Partnerships
This collaboration set a new standard for how brands can align values with design, pairing Bears for Humanity’s sustainable manufacturing expertise with Idori’s storytelling brilliance.
Key Results
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Organic Materials Used |
100% (cotton + kapok) |
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Reduction in Synthetic Plastic |
90%+ vs. standard plush |
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Production Partners |
3 small artisan co-ops |
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Customer Response |
4.9/5 avg. rating |
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Trees Planted |
1 per book sold |
Looking Ahead
Following Benjy’s success, Idori is expanding its plush line with more Idorian characters like Flo the Ocean-Dweller and Geebo the Puffball, all produced by Bears for Humanity using the same GOTS-certified, zero-toxic, fair-trade approach.
This collaboration demonstrates how storytelling, sustainability, and design can merge to make products children love and parents trust.
“When brands like Idori lead with purpose, and manufacturers like Bears for Humanity build with integrity, the result is magic you can hold.”
🧸 About Bears for Humanity
At Bears for Humanity, we create GOTS-certified organic plush toys for mission-driven brands. Every custom plush we produce supports ethical labor, non-toxic materials, and fair trade practices.
We believe every toy can tell a story — one of love, sustainability, and humanity.
Want to create your own custom organic plush?