LEGO Goes Green With Sustainable Bricks Made From Sugar

In an effort to help sort out the world’s overwhelming plastic waste issue, LEGO has announced plans to launch a new set of sustainable elements made from a plant-based plastic produced using sustainably sourced ethanol from sugar cane.

The set is made from polyethylene plastic and carries a botanical theme that is reflected in its tree, bush and leaf-shaped pieces. LEGO’s vice president of environmental responsibility Tim Brooks assures customers that the plant-based plastic products feature the same properties as conventional polyethylene pieces, which are crude oil-based. He also promises children and parents that the new product line won’t have any noticeable differences in “quality or appearance.”

According to the BBC, LEGO confirmed that the elements crafted from the bio-based plastic measure up to the company’s “high standards for quality and safety.”

Brooks added, “We are proud that the first Lego elements made from sustainably sourced plastic are in production and will be in Lego boxes this year. This is a great first step in our ambitious commitment to making all Lego bricks using sustainable materials.”

Of LEGO’s latest sustainable effort, Alix Grabowski of the World Wildlife Fund said:

The Lego Group’s decision to pursue sustainably sourced bio-based plastics represents an incredible opportunity to reduce dependence on finite resources, and their work with the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance will allow them to connect with other companies to continue to think creatively about sustainability.

Although the sugar cane-based parts will only account for 1 to 2 percent of all LEGO’s plastic products, the company has huge plans for its future sustainable contributions including a goal to make all of its bricks with the plant-based plastic by 2030. As for the future of its sustainability contributions, LEGO plans to make all of its bricks with the sugar cane-based plastic by 2030.