Sofia Martinez
LEGO bricks are made from a type of plastic called Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), which is very difficult to melt down and recycle into something new. While it is technically possible to recycle ABS, the process is not commonly available, and most recycling centres are not equipped to handle it. As a result, old LEGO bricks often end up in landfills, creating a significant environmental problem. However, there are alternative ways to dispose of or 'recycle' LEGO pieces in an environmentally friendly manner.
Is Lego Plastic Recyclable?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Recyclability of Lego bricks | Lego bricks are made from a type of plastic called Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), which is very difficult to melt down and recycle. However, there are other ways to dispose of or "recycle" Lego bricks, such as selling them or passing them on to friends or family. |
| Official stance of the Lego Group | The Lego Group is working on finding a more sustainable material for their bricks that can be recycled. They also reuse their own waste material for power generation in their facilities. |
| Recyclability of Lego packaging | Lego is transitioning to recyclable packaging across all areas of its business. This includes replacing single-use plastic bags with paper-based bags made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified sources. |
| Disposal methods | It is recommended to check with local authorities and waste disposal services for the correct methods to dispose of or recycle Lego products. Some alternatives include dropping them off at local charity bins or childcare providers. |
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What You'll Learn
- The plastic used in Lego, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is hard to recycle
- Lego packaging is now mostly recyclable paper and cardboard
- Lego is working on finding a more sustainable material for their bricks
- Old Lego bricks can be sold or donated to be reused
- Some recycling centres accept old Lego bricks to grind down and reuse
The plastic used in Lego, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, is hard to recycle
The plastic used in Lego, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), is hard to recycle. ABS is what gives Lego bricks their strength and durability, but it is generally difficult to recycle. While it is possible to recycle ABS, the process is complex and not commonly available. ABS is challenging to melt down and repurpose, so attempting to recycle Lego bricks through traditional methods will likely result in them ending up in landfills.
Lego has acknowledged the challenge of recycling its bricks and is working towards finding more sustainable materials. In the meantime, they encourage passing bricks to friends or family, or selling them to give them a second life and avoid waste. There are also some recycling centres that accept old bricks, and Lego can sometimes grind them down to create new pieces or use them to generate power in their facilities.
As an alternative to traditional recycling, some people have found ways to repurpose Lego bricks creatively. For example, they can be used in 3D printing to create new Lego-compatible parts or other objects. Additionally, some schools and grocery stores accept clean soft plastic, including Lego bricks, for recycling programs.
Lego has also made efforts to improve the sustainability of its packaging. They are transitioning from single-use plastic to paper-based bags and packaging for their baseplates, which are now made from Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper. Lego boxes are made from responsibly sourced cardboard and can be recycled where infrastructure for paper and cardboard recycling exists.
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Lego packaging is now mostly recyclable paper and cardboard
Lego has been working to make its packaging more sustainable and recyclable. The company has introduced recyclable packaging across all areas of its business, from core products to licensed partner products. In 2024, Lego reported that 93% of its packaging by weight was made from paper, cardboard, and other paper-based materials, with the remaining 7% still containing single-use plastic.
Lego boxes are made of cardboard (corrugated or non-corrugated fiberboard) from responsibly sourced materials certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC® C117818). They can be recycled where infrastructure and access to paper and cardboard recycling exist. Lego is also in the process of switching from single-use plastic to paper-based bags, with the new bags being made of over 95% paper. These paper-based bags are recyclable in the European Union, the United States, and Canada, and have the added benefit of being more enjoyable for children to unwrap, as they create a sense of suspense.
Lego has also replaced plastic cups with flat-pack paper-based containers, which take up less space and are easier to store and ship. Additionally, the packaging for Lego Minifigures collectibles has been switched from single-use plastic to recyclable cardboard boxes, helping the company save approximately 30 tons of single-use plastic annually.
While Lego is making significant progress in sustainability, it is important to note that some of its packaging still contains single-use plastic. The company encourages consumers to check with their local authorities on how to correctly dispose of and recycle its packaging, as rules vary between countries, regions, and municipalities.
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Lego is working on finding a more sustainable material for their bricks
While Lego bricks are technically recyclable, the process is not so simple. The bricks are made from a type of plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is very durable but difficult to melt down and turn into something else. This means that, while they can be recycled, they often end up in landfills.
The Lego Group is aware of this issue and is working on finding a more sustainable material for their bricks, one that will enable them to be recycled more easily. In the meantime, they are also finding ways to give unwanted Lego bricks a second purpose and avoid waste. For example, they can grind down old bricks to make new pieces, or use them to generate power in their facilities. They also encourage passing bricks on to friends or family, or donating them to charity, as a way of recycling.
Lego is also working to reduce its use of single-use plastics in packaging. Much of their packaging is now made from paper and cardboard, and they are introducing recyclable packaging across all areas of their business. They are also switching from plastic to paper bags, with over 95% paper content. These new paper bags are made with paper from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests and FSC-controlled wood and have been verified as recyclable in the European Union, the United States, and Canada.
Lego is also encouraging consumers to recycle their packaging by providing guidance on how to responsibly dispose of it and promoting packaging recycling. They are also testing all new packaging extensively to confirm its recyclability before use.
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Old Lego bricks can be sold or donated to be reused
There are also other organizations that accept Lego brick donations, such as Pass the Bricks, which sanitizes and sorts the bricks, designs new sets, and distributes them to children who wouldn't normally have access to them. Pass the Bricks has ambassadors in 193 cities worldwide who collect and clean used bricks, build and package new sets, and get them to children in need.
Additionally, individuals can donate their old Lego bricks directly to places like the Salvation Army or Goodwill, or gift them to a friend's child, a family member's kid, or a local library or place of worship. It is important to call ahead and ensure that these places accept Lego brick donations.
Selling or donating old Lego bricks for reuse has environmental benefits, as it saves the resources that would be required to make new bricks.
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Some recycling centres accept old Lego bricks to grind down and reuse
While LEGO bricks are made from a type of plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS, which is very difficult to melt down and turn into something else, some recycling centres do accept old LEGO bricks. These recycling centres grind down the old bricks to make new pieces. If those pieces can’t be ground down and reused in moulding, they could help generate power in the LEGO Group facilities.
The LEGO Group is working on finding a more sustainable material for their bricks that will enable them to be recycled. However, for now, they are tasked with finding other ways to give unwanted LEGO bricks a second purpose and avoid waste. One way to do this is to sell old LEGO bricks. Websites such as WeBuyBricks will buy old LEGO bricks by weight, providing a hassle-free and sustainable solution for those looking to declutter.
Passing on old LEGO bricks to friends or relatives is another way to ensure they are reused. Dropping them off at a local charity bin or childcare provider is also an easy way to recycle them.
The rules for how to recycle vary between countries, regions, and municipalities. It is important to separate different material types to facilitate recycling and recovery. People are encouraged to check with their local authorities on how to correctly dispose of recyclable materials.
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Frequently asked questions
Lego bricks are made from a type of plastic called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), which is very difficult to melt down and recycle. However, some recycling centres may accept them, and the Lego Group can sometimes grind down old bricks to make new pieces.
Lego is gradually switching from single-use plastic to paper-based bags and boxes. The new paper-based bags are made with paper from Forest Stewardship Council-certified forests and have been verified as recyclable in the EU, US, and Canada. The boxes are made from cardboard and can be recycled where infrastructure exists.
If your Lego bricks are in good condition, you could sell them or pass them on to friends or family. You could also try contacting the Lego Group directly, as they may be able to reuse the bricks.
The Lego Group has stated that by 2025, all packaging materials will be renewable or recyclable. They are also working on finding a more sustainable material for their bricks that can be easily recycled.
Yes, there are other ways to dispose of or "recycle" Lego pieces in an environmentally friendly way. For example, you could drop them off at a local charity bin or childcare provider.
