LEGO is committed to enhancing the sustainability of its iconic bricks and has recently announced an ambitious target for 2026: to obtain 50% of the plastic used in its bricks from renewable sources. As the leading toy brand globally, LEGO holds a significant influence that enables it to champion the shift towards more environmentally friendly products and practices. This initiative not only reflects the company’s dedication to reducing its ecological footprint but also sets a precedent for the toy industry, encouraging other brands to follow suit in the pursuit of greener alternatives.

“By doing this, the company aims to help accelerate the industry’s transition to more sustainable, high-quality materials,” LEGO stated in a press release.

LEGO employs a supply chain tracking approach known as mass balance to assess the proportion of its materials sourced sustainably. As of now, approximately 78% of its vibrant bricks are still derived from fossil fuels, a decrease from 88% in 2023.

In 2021, nearly 90% of the global plastic production was derived from fossil fuels. In response to this environmental challenge, LEGO has embarked on an ambitious journey, experimenting with over 600 different materials in its quest to utilize renewable or recycled resources by the year 2032 exclusively. Among its current suppliers, some are pioneering the use of alternative sources such as cooking oil, waste from the food industry, and recycled materials, moving away from traditional fossil fuel-based plastics.

This commitment comes at a cost, as LEGO is willing to pay up to 70% more for these sustainable materials. In 2023, LEGO committed to triple its spending on sustainability initiatives to about $445 million a year (about 3 billion Danish kroner) by 2025. The company’s recent pledge to incorporate 50% renewable content into its products reflects a broader, industry-wide movement towards greater environmental responsibility.

Some environmental experts have raised concerns about this approach. While it’s true that 22% of the materials used in LEGO’s production come from renewable sources, this doesn’t guarantee that 22% of the plastic in any specific LEGO set is renewable. Nonetheless, under the ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) guidelines, these products can still carry that label, potentially leading to confusion among consumers.

LEGO’s mission to use only renewable or recycled content by 2032 has already tested more than 600 materials

Mass balance is only a part of the fresh sustainability objective. To tackle greenhouse gas emissions, LEGO is gearing up to introduce a new sustainability initiative aimed at motivating its suppliers to establish their own emission reduction targets in the coming years. This program will feature specific, measurable goals for employees, helping the company maintain its focus on cutting down carbon emissions effectively.

In 2019, Mattel, a prominent toy manufacturer, aimed to achieve 100% use of recycled, bio-based, or recyclable plastics by 2030. Similarly, Hasbro is working to lessen its dependence on fossil fuels, with plans to redesign the classic Potato Head using only renewable or plant-based materials.

Source: https://www.mentalfloss.com/posts/lego-plastic-renewable-materials