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What is the story
LEGO, the world-famous Danish toy maker, has announced an ambitious plan to make half of its plastic bricks from renewable or recycled materials by 2026.
This initiative is part of LEGO’s broader strategy to make its products more environmentally friendly.
For eight years, the company has been trying to produce a Lego brick without the use of fossil fuels.
The company had previously attempted to make bricks entirely from recycled bottles, but faced cost and production challenges.
LEGO’s current production and future goals
Currently, 30% of a colorful brick is made from resin that has a certified mass balance. This means that on average 22% of the material needed to make a Lego brick comes from renewable and recycled sources.
“The company wants to help accelerate the industry’s transition to more sustainable and higher-quality materials,” the toy manufacturer explained in a press release.
LEGO’s strategy to reduce the use of oil-based plastic
In the long term, Lego plans to switch entirely to renewable and recycled plastics by 2032.
To achieve this, LEGO has actively researched over 600 alternative materials for its products.
The company wants to gradually reduce the amount of petroleum-based plastic it uses and is paying up to 70 percent more for certified renewable resin. The company hopes that this will encourage manufacturers to increase production.
LEGO’s commitment to sustainability and consumer friendliness
LEGO CEO Niels Christiansen acknowledged that switching to more sustainable materials would significantly increase the production costs of its bricks.
Nevertheless, the company has committed to tripling its annual sustainability spending to DKK 3 billion ($340 million) by 2025 without passing on these additional costs to consumers.
Christiansen explained: “So far, we have decided that we will bear the burden and deduct (the additional costs) from our bottom line.”
LEGO’s efforts to stimulate the development of the industry
Christiansen further explained that with its investments in sustainable materials, LEGO is trying to “stimulate the industry to develop” and “change the supply chain.”
The company hopes this will ultimately lead to the discovery of new or cheaper materials, helping it reach its 2032 goal.
In addition, LEGO has expanded its “Replay” brick take-back program to the UK and continues to test similar models in the US and Europe.
