Maya Ellison
Lego has built a reputation for the durability of its bricks, which are designed to last for decades. However, the company has also invested heavily in sustainability. Lego initially planned to make its bricks from recycled plastic bottles, but this idea was scrapped when the company found that the manufacturing process would be more polluting than the current production of oil-based bricks. Lego is now testing alternative materials, including other recycled plastics and e-methanol, and is committed to making its bricks from sustainable materials by 2032.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current status of Lego bricks being made from recycled plastic | Lego has abandoned plans to make its bricks from recycled plastic bottles, but it is still committed to making its bricks from sustainable materials by 2032. |
| Reason for abandoning plans to use recycled plastic | Lego found that the manufacturing process would be more polluting and energy-intensive than the current production of oil-based bricks, and the recycled plastic wasn't as durable or compatible with existing Lego bricks. |
| Alternative sustainable materials being considered | Lego is testing bricks made from other recycled plastics, e-methanol, bio-polypropylene, bio-waste (cooking oil, food industry waste fat), and experimenting with fishing nets and recycled engine oil for tires. |
| Progress towards sustainability goals | In the first half of 2024, 22% of the plastic used in Lego bricks came from renewable and recycled sources, up from 12% in 2023. Lego is also working to increase the proportion of certified renewable resin in its supply chain. |
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What You'll Learn
Lego's sustainability goals
Lego has built a reputation not only for the durability of its bricks but also for its substantial investment in sustainability. The company's sustainability strategy covers three impact areas: children, the environment, and people. Lego is committed to making a positive impact on children and the planet, and its contribution is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 12, which stand for 'Quality Education' and 'Responsible Consumption and Production', respectively.
Lego initially planned to make its bricks from recycled plastic bottles, but this idea was scrapped when the company found that the conversion process would require extra materials and energy, resulting in higher carbon emissions. Despite this setback, Lego remains committed to its sustainability goals and is exploring alternative solutions. For example, Lego is experimenting with sugarcane, recycled kitchen worktops, and old fishing nets to create more sustainable bricks.
Lego's pursuit of sustainability extends beyond its products and packaging. The company is also working to reduce its carbon footprint and limit its use of resources across its entire supply chain. Notably, Lego's scope 3 emissions (generated by its supply chain) make up a significant portion of its total carbon emissions. By addressing these emissions, Lego is taking a comprehensive approach to sustainability and setting an example for other companies in its industry.
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Recycled plastic bottles
Lego initially planned to make its bricks from recycled plastic bottles, but the company has since scrapped this idea. Lego found that producing bricks with recycled plastic would require extra materials and energy to make them durable, which would result in higher carbon emissions. Lego is, however, still committed to making its bricks from sustainable materials by 2032. In the first half of 2024, 22% of the plastic used in Lego bricks came from renewable and recycled sources, up from 12% in 2023.
Now, onto the topic of recycled plastic bottles.
Recycling plastic bottles is an important way to reduce plastic waste and its harmful effects on the environment. While plastic recycling is often cumbersome and expensive, with less than 30% of plastic bottles being recycled in the US, there are still many benefits to using recycled plastic bottles. Recycled post-consumer resin bottles are more environmentally friendly than traditional packaging, as they require less energy and fossil fuels to produce. This reduces a company's carbon footprint and increases its environmental awareness. Recycled materials are also typically less expensive than creating new materials, and they help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
However, it is important to note that even in the most ideal recycling cases, materials degrade in quality and diminish in quantity during each recovery cycle. This is especially true for single-use plastics, which are often downcycled into lower-quality items that cannot be recycled again. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a lightweight resin used for beverage bottles, diminishes in quality when recycled and is often downcycled into fiber or wood replacements.
To curb plastic pollution, companies can offer alternatives to single-use plastics and provide products in refillable and reusable containers. Governments can also play a role by implementing policies that limit or eliminate single-use plastics. For example, research by Oceana found that a 10% increase in the share of beverages sold in refillable bottles could result in a 22% decrease in marine plastic bottle pollution, keeping billions of plastic bottles out of the ocean each year.
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Carbon emissions
Lego has abandoned its plans to make its bricks from recycled plastic bottles, specifically recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), due to concerns over higher carbon emissions and pollution. The company found that the manufacturing process for recycled PET bricks would require additional materials, energy, and steps, leading to increased planet-heating pollution compared to the current production of oil-based bricks.
Lego's decision highlights the complexity of sustainability initiatives, as the company's scope 3 emissions, primarily related to its supply chain, account for a significant portion of its carbon footprint. From 2020 to 2021, Lego's total emissions increased by 30%, driven by surging demand during the COVID-19 lockdowns. This increase was largely attributed to scope 3 emissions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive carbon emissions assessments that consider the entire life cycle of a product.
Despite this setback, Lego remains committed to its sustainability goals. The company has pledged to remove fossil fuels from its bricks by 2032 and replace them with renewable or recycled plastic. Lego is actively testing and developing bricks made from alternative sustainable materials, including other recycled plastics and bio-polypropylene. The company has also started using recycled engine oil and old fishing nets to create some of its tires.
To achieve its sustainability targets, Lego is investing in more expensive renewable resin and working with producers to secure long-term supplies of sustainable materials. The company aims to ensure that more than half of the resin it needs in 2026 is certified according to the mass balance method, which traces sustainable materials through the supply chain. Lego's suppliers are utilizing bio-waste, such as cooking oil and food industry waste fat, as well as recycled materials, to replace virgin fossil fuels in plastic production.
While Lego's journey towards sustainability faces challenges, the company's efforts demonstrate a commitment to reducing its environmental impact and encouraging the production of more sustainable raw materials.
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Fossil fuel alternatives
Lego bricks are currently made from a fossil fuel-based material called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a plastic that is neither biodegradable nor easily recycled. Lego has pledged to remove fossil fuels from its bricks by 2032, intending to use renewable or recycled plastic instead.
The company initially planned to make Lego bricks from recycled plastic bottles. However, they discovered that this would require additional materials and energy to meet their durability standards, resulting in higher carbon emissions.
Lego remains committed to finding sustainable alternatives and has already made progress, with 22% of the plastic used in the first half of 2024 coming from renewable and recycled sources, up from 12% in 2023.
Renewable Energy Sources
Renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, are infinite and replenishable, offering a sustainable alternative to finite fossil fuels. Solar energy, for example, harnesses sunlight to generate electricity through photovoltaic (PV) panels or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. While renewable energy sources are dependent on natural conditions, they produce zero direct emissions and are becoming increasingly affordable and efficient.
Nuclear Power
Nuclear power is considered a clean and efficient alternative to fossil fuels, derived from controlled nuclear fission reactions in materials like uranium or plutonium. While nuclear fuel is available in large quantities, it is not considered a renewable source of energy.
Hydrogen
Hydrogen is a potentially emissions-free alternative fuel with applications in heavy transport and aviation. It can be produced from renewable resources and used in fuel cell electric vehicles.
Biomass
Biomass refers to biological material, including wood, plant, forest residues, and compost. Burning biomass produces greenhouse gases, but it is still a preferred alternative to fossil fuels, particularly for coal-fired plants aiming to reduce emissions.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal power harnesses the Earth's natural heat sources, particularly volcanic activity. It is the source of 30% of Iceland's electricity, but its application is limited to areas with volcanic sources.
The transition to fossil fuel alternatives requires significant investment in new technologies and infrastructure. However, with the growing movement to reduce reliance on fossil fuels due to their environmental and geopolitical risks, companies like Lego have a unique opportunity to explore these alternatives and contribute to the fight against climate change.
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Lego's current bricks
Lego bricks are currently made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), an oil-based plastic material that is not biodegradable or easily recycled. The company has built a reputation for the durability of its bricks, which are designed to last for decades.
However, Lego has been actively working towards making its bricks from more sustainable materials. In 2023, the company announced that it was testing and developing Lego bricks made from alternative sustainable materials, including recycled plastics and plastics made from sources such as e-methanol. Lego had also invested significantly in sustainability initiatives as part of its efforts to transition to more sustainable materials and reduce carbon emissions.
Despite these efforts, Lego encountered challenges in its pursuit of sustainability. After testing recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic sourced from bottles, the company found that the manufacturing process would require additional materials and energy, ultimately leading to higher carbon emissions and pollution than the current production of oil-based bricks. As a result, Lego decided not to proceed with using recycled PET plastic for its bricks.
Lego remains committed to its sustainability goals and has set a deadline of 2032 to create bricks made from sustainable materials. The company has tested over 600 different materials and is gradually reducing the oil content in its bricks by investing in certified renewable resin. In the first half of 2024, 22% of the plastic used in Lego bricks came from renewable and recycled sources, and the company aims to ensure that more than half of the resin it needs in 2026 is certified as sustainable.
While the bricks of tomorrow may be made from different sources, Lego assures its customers that the performance and compatibility of the bricks will remain the same. The company's "clutch power" technology ensures that all Lego bricks, regardless of their material composition, will fit together seamlessly.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Lego bricks are not made from recycled plastic. Lego initially planned to make its bricks from recycled plastic bottles, but the company has since abandoned these plans, citing higher carbon emissions and lower durability as reasons for the change. Lego is still committed to making its bricks from sustainable materials by 2032.
Lego bricks are made from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), an oil-based material that is not biodegradable or easily recycled. Lego is currently working to replace ABS with more expensive renewable and recycled plastic by 2032.
Lego stopped using recycled plastic because the manufacturing process was found to be more polluting than the production of oil-based bricks. The company found that making bricks from recycled plastic would require additional materials and energy, leading to higher carbon emissions. Lego remains committed to sustainability and is exploring alternative materials, such as e-methanol and bio-polypropylene.
