One of our favorite toys just got even cooler! On March 1, 2018, Lego announced that its iconic green element is no longer just plastic. The company confirmed that the plastic plants and leafy pieces are made from real plants. Especially the use of sugarcane-based plastic used for trees and leaves marks the beginning of a bigger change. This botanical approach is only the first step for the Nordic manufacturer. LEGO is committed to making all its bricks and packaging from sustainable sources by 2030.
Technically, this new environmentally friendly material is a type of polyethylene. It is softer and more flexible than traditional plastics. Polyethylene is also the most used plastic in the world. Switching to this oil-free bioplastic can have a huge impact on the environment, but visually you won’t notice the difference. The trees and flowers still blend perfectly into the landscape surrounding the LEGO castle.
“Children and parents will not notice the difference in the quality or appearance of the new element, because plant-based polyethylene has the same properties as traditional polyethylene.”
This is what Tim Brooks, vice president of environmental responsibility of the LEGO Group, says in a press release. Consistency is the hallmark of LEGO products. Bricks made in the middle of the 20th century match perfectly with bricks made yesterday. This new sustainable plastic does not change this basic rule.
However, the company continues to grow. In addition to the 2030 sustainable development goals, LEGO also cooperates with the World Wildlife Fund. We make sure that the raw materials for our new plastics are ethically and environmentally friendly. LEGO is also committed to achieving zero waste in its business by 2030.
At the same time, the energy used to manufacture small spiked bricks is compensated by the company’s wind power investments.
LEGO’s legacy of wind power
In 2012, LEGO set a goal to offset 100% of its energy consumption with renewable energy by 2020. We achieved this goal in May 2017. To commemorate the event, the company built a wind turbine out of 146,000 mostly white bricks.
The structure stands 24.6 feet (7.5 meters) tall. It can be seen at Legoland Windsor Resort in the UK. This is a fitting monument to a brand that is slowly but surely building a greener future. The plastic may have become prettier, but the legacy of the game has remained.
