Maya Ellison
Lego has built an empire out of plastic, with billions of non-biodegradable bricks sold annually. The company has faced scrutiny over the environmental impact of its plastic products, and in response, Lego has committed to transitioning away from fossil fuels and virgin plastics. The company has set a target to replace fossil fuels with renewable and recycled plastic by 2032, investing over $1.2 billion in sustainability initiatives. Lego has tested over 600 materials, including recycled PET plastic and bio-polypropylene, but has faced challenges in finding a sustainable alternative that matches the durability and performance of its current plastic. Despite criticism from anti-plastic groups, Lego maintains its commitment to sustainability and has pledged to absorb the increased costs of renewable materials without passing them on to consumers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plans to replace oil in its bricks with renewable plastic | 70% more for certified renewable resin |
| Target date for using entirely renewable and recycled materials | 2032 |
| Use of "mass balance" | Controversial method for tracking materials |
| Investment in sustainability initiatives | Over $1.2 billion |
| Reduction in carbon emissions goal | 37% by 2032 |
| Use of bio-polypropylene | Sustainable and biological variant of polyethylene |
| Number of materials tested for development of new material | Over 600 |
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What You'll Learn
Lego is paying 70% more for renewable resin
Lego has been facing criticism for its use of plastic in the production of its signature bricks. The plastic used in Lego bricks is derived from oil, a fossil fuel, and does not biodegrade or recycle easily. As a result, Lego has been exploring alternative materials to reduce its environmental impact.
One such effort is Lego's plan to replace the fossil fuels used in its bricks with renewable and recycled plastic. The company aims to gradually reduce the oil content in its bricks and has committed to paying up to 70% more for certified renewable resin, the raw plastic used to manufacture the bricks. This additional cost will not be passed on to consumers, according to Lego, despite the significant price difference.
The decision to pay more for renewable resin is part of Lego's strategy to encourage manufacturers to boost production of sustainable materials. By increasing demand and committing to higher prices, Lego hopes to stimulate the market for sustainable raw materials. This approach aligns with Lego's goal to transition entirely to renewable and recycled materials by 2032.
While Lego's efforts towards sustainability are commendable, some critics have expressed concerns about the effectiveness of these initiatives. One such initiative, known as "mass balance," has been described as a "mathematical sleight of hand" by Peter Blair of Just Zero. Critics argue that it dilutes the significance of Lego's sustainability goals and may not provide the environmental benefits expected.
Despite these doubts, Lego remains committed to its sustainability journey. The company has invested over $1.2 billion in sustainability initiatives and continues to explore alternative materials like e-methanol and bio-polypropylene. Lego's transparent approach to its challenges and progress serves as a valuable example for other companies striving for sustainability.
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The company has tested over 600 materials
Lego has tested over 600 different materials in an attempt to develop a new material that would completely replace its oil-based bricks by 2030. The company has been transparent about its sustainability journey, sharing the lessons it has learned from trying 600 different materials.
Lego has been working towards finding a sustainable alternative to its plastic bricks, which are currently made from acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), a plastic derived from oil. ABS plastic does not biodegrade and is not easily recycled, leading to concerns about the environmental impact of Lego pieces.
The company has made significant progress in developing a robust version of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) as an alternative to ABS. However, they encountered challenges in achieving the required rigidity for their bricks, which would firmly clip together. The process also involved energy-intensive steps, such as extreme drying of the rPET to remove moisture, which would result in a higher carbon footprint than sticking with ABS.
Despite these setbacks, Lego remains committed to its sustainability goals and continues to explore alternative materials, including recycled plastics and plastics made from alternative sources such as e-methanol and bio-polypropylene. The company has set a target to replace fossil fuels in its bricks with renewable and recycled plastic by 2032 and has signed deals with producers to secure the long-term supply of these materials.
Lego's transition to sustainable materials comes at a cost, with the company paying up to 70% more for certified renewable resin. However, they have assured customers that this increase in material costs will not be passed on to consumers and will be absorbed by the company.
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Lego is aiming to halve the use of fossil plastics by 2026
Lego has built its empire on plastic, with the bricks being derived from oil, a fossil fuel. The plastic used to make Lego, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), does not biodegrade and is not easily recycled. If a Lego piece ends up in the environment, it will slowly break down into highly polluting microplastics.
Lego has been working towards reducing its use of fossil plastics and transitioning to recycled and renewable materials. The company has set a target to halve the use of fossil plastics by 2026 and eliminate them entirely by 2032. To achieve this, Lego is gradually reducing the oil content in its bricks by paying a premium for certified renewable resin, the raw plastic used to manufacture the bricks. This strategy aims to encourage manufacturers to boost the production of renewable resin.
Lego has also been testing and developing Lego bricks made from alternative sustainable materials, including recycled plastics and plastics made from sources like e-methanol. The company has explored over 600 different materials to find a suitable alternative that can replicate the qualities of its bricks. However, Lego's efforts towards sustainability have faced challenges and drawn some criticism. The company previously explored using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) from plastic bottles, but this idea was abandoned due to the higher carbon footprint associated with the pre- and post-treatment required for this material.
Despite the challenges, Lego remains committed to its sustainability goals and has invested more than $1.2 billion in sustainability initiatives. The company has also been transparent about its journey, sharing the lessons learned from its attempts to find more sustainable alternatives. Lego's sustainability efforts have the potential to set an example for other companies and encourage the development of more sustainable raw materials.
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Recycled plastic can be less safe than traditional plastic
Lego has been working on replacing the fossil fuels used in making its bricks with more expensive renewable and recycled plastic. The company has tested over 600 different materials to develop a new material that would completely replace its oil-based brick by 2030, but with limited success. Lego is now aiming to gradually bring down the oil content in its bricks by paying up to 70% more for certified renewable resin, the raw plastic used to manufacture the bricks. The company has set 2032 as its target date to reach a goal of using entirely renewable and recycled materials.
However, Lego's journey to becoming more environmentally friendly has not been without its challenges. The company had been working on developing a robust version of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) but encountered difficulties in achieving the required rigidity for its bricks. The process also involved extreme drying of the rPET to remove moisture, which is energy-intensive. Lego researchers realized that rPET manufacturing and installing new equipment would carry a higher carbon footprint than continuing to use acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), the plastic they currently use.
While Lego's efforts to reduce its environmental impact are commendable, it's important to consider the broader challenges of plastic recycling. Despite decades of recycling campaigns, plastic pollution continues to grow, and recycling rates for plastic remain low compared to other materials. Recycling plastic is complex and energy-intensive, requiring sorting, washing, and shredding, which burn large amounts of fossil fuel energy and create microplastics and nanoplastics. Even when plastics are recycled, they are often "downcycled," made into items of lesser value and quality.
Additionally, there are concerns about the safety of recycled plastic. Melissa Valliant, communications director for Beyond Plastics, warned that recycled plastic can be less safe than traditional plastic when it comes to health risks, citing a United Nations report. Greenpeace has also found that plastic becomes more toxic the more it is reused. These findings highlight the need for a holistic approach to addressing plastic pollution, including reducing plastic production and exploring alternative materials.
Lego's commitment to using renewable and recycled materials is a step in the right direction, but it's essential to recognize the complexities and potential challenges of plastic recycling. The company's efforts to reduce its environmental footprint will likely involve ongoing research, innovation, and collaboration to develop sustainable solutions that align with its goals and values.
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Lego is criticised for its use of mass balance
Lego has been criticised for its use of mass balance, a method for tracking materials. The company has set a target to replace fossil fuel-based materials with renewable and recycled materials by 2032. This includes a goal to halve the use of fossil plastics by 2026. Lego's use of mass balance has been described as a "mathematical sleight of hand" by critics, who argue that it does not provide any environmental benefits and is simply a way to deceive consumers into believing that progress is being achieved.
Mass balance, according to Lego, enables them to increase the amount of sustainable raw materials used in their products and stimulate the production of these materials. However, critics like Peter Blair, policy and advocacy director of Just Zero, disagree, stating that "this mathematical sleight of hand doesn't have any environmental benefits." Blair further asserts that using mass balance is a way for Lego to "trick consumers into thinking that progress is being made."
Melissa Valliant, communications director of Beyond Plastics, a Bennington, Vermont-based non-profit, offers a similar critique, likening mass balance to "putting one almond in a cake and calling it an almond cake." She suggests that Lego should explore alternative materials for their bricks or abandon plastic altogether due to its negative health and environmental consequences.
Despite these criticisms, Lego maintains its commitment to sustainability and has invested significantly in sustainability initiatives. The company has been transparent about its efforts, acknowledging the challenges of transitioning to recycled materials and expressing a willingness to absorb the higher costs of renewable resin rather than passing them on to consumers.
Lego's journey towards sustainability has not been without setbacks. In 2023, the company abandoned its goal to create bricks from recycled plastic bottles due to complications with non-oil-based materials that would have resulted in higher carbon emissions. However, Lego remains determined to find sustainable solutions, testing and developing Lego bricks from a range of alternative materials, including other recycled plastics and plastics derived from sources like e-methanol.
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Frequently asked questions
Lego has announced plans to scale up its use of renewable plastics in its bricks, aiming to replace fossil fuel-based materials by 2032. The company has tested over 600 different materials to develop a new material that would completely replace its oil-based bricks. Lego is also investing in sustainability initiatives and aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 37% by 2032.
Lego has built its empire out of plastic since its founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, bought Denmark’s first plastic-injection molding machine in 1946. The company has faced challenges in its efforts to transition to recycled plastic due to the higher carbon footprint associated with the production process and the lower quality of new plastic. However, Lego remains committed to finding sustainable materials and has set a deadline of 2032 to abandon fossil fuels.
Lego has stated that the costs of renewable materials will not be passed on to consumers and will be absorbed by the company. The higher cost of renewable resin is expected to be offset by the benefits of buying in huge quantities and the cost-efficiency of injection molding. Lego's revenue and consumer sales have continued to grow despite the transition to renewable plastics.
