The bad: Ultimately it's still a plastic toy, and if it gets lost out in the environment it won't degrade and could harm wildlife. Additionally, it's made in America: the recycling must be done in America too.

The good: The Zogoflex range is made by West Paw design. This is a company with some serious ethical credentials. They are a certified B corp: they have have a “positive impact on society, workers, the community and the environment”.

They won the Best for the World: Environment award four times! West Paw are a founding member of the Pet Sustainability Coalition and committed to continue to support climate action to meet the Paris Agreement even while Trump pulled America out of the agreement.Their products are all non toxic and infinitely recyclable - they literally turn old Zogoflex toys into new ones!

They also have a Zogoflex range containing recycled ocean bound plastic, with Seaflex Drifty and Seaflex Sailz West Paw constantly focus on the environmental impact of every decision, even when it comes to the building they work in - see the video below where they reuse the concrete walls of their factory! Read more here.

The distributor who imports Zogoflex into the UK from America has strong environmental policies: they use 100% renewable energy, offset their travel and dispatch only with reused packaging. They always try to import by boat rather than plane also.

West Paw manufacture everything they sell in their own factory, near the Rocky Mountains. They have never and will never outsource manufacturing to China or similar. This means that there are good labour laws in effect in the manufacture of these products, the staff are safe and paid well. But there is more to this story: they have even been named “Best Place to Work in Montana"!

Here is a quote from a member of the manufacturing team

“I love working at West Paw because I truly feel valued instead of just another “employee.” That means a lot to me. I'm excited to come to work everyday to see what new challenge I may come across and love that I can continuously learn and reach my goals!"

— Cassie Montgomery, Production Shift Lead, & Dog's Best Friend.

West Paw also pay staff to volunteer in the local community as part of their role - currently, they are working with the Trust for Public Lands to create an off the lead Dog Park, making a $50,000 dollar donation and also paying staff while they volunteer at the park to maintain it. Read more here.

Zogoflex toys are made from plastic: specifically a thermoplastic elastomer. The material is BPA-and-phthalate-free, as well as Non-toxic & Dishwasher Safe. This material infinitely recyclable and the manufacturing process is closed loop and zero waste. HOWEVER, the toy is not recyclable with general plastics (#7). To be recycled it must be returned to the factory in America.