The move toward sustainability has come after the company reportedly received letters from children and customers imploring them to do more in their environmental efforts. Chief Executive, Niels B Christiansen has said “We have been exploring [sustainable] alternatives for some time and the passion and ideas from children inspired us to begin to make the change.”
The toymaker has also declared that all of their products will be made from sustainable materials by 2030, with the aid of a £310 million investment. LEGO bricks are currently made from an oil-based plastic that does not decompose. Instead, it breaks down into smaller pieces (microplastics) which contribute to plastic pollution. Microplastics are easily consumed by wildlife, resulting in plastic entering into the food chain and damaging the health of animals, humans and the environment.
LEGO have been experimenting with a variety of sustainable materials, such as a plant-based plastic, bio-polyethylene, sourced from sugar cane. However, they have faced issues of durability and functional replication of their original bricks. They are determined to prevail, nonetheless, and on top of their other targets, aim to achieve net zero carbon by the end of 2022 and eradicate waste by the end of 2025.
