Most of the time cheaper products are better for the environment when they're durable. A very simple whistle has hardly any parts that could fail easily and is therefore durable.

See the cost of veganism, prefab buildings or electric cars. If local production and local distribution of objects saves transport and handling expenses, which come from people expending time, keep in mind those people need to be fed and have to get to work somehow, then that is a fact.

I'd imagine the lack of being shipped many thousands of miles is what makes them ecologically friendlier.