GREEN FOR GO

LEGO has started making its iconic plastic building elements from sustainably sourced sugar cane leaves.

These sustainable elements are turned into a soft, durable and flexible polyethylene plastic, and those produced in this way are technically identical to elements produced using conventional plastic.

The new bricks will initially make up between one and two per cent of the plastic elements produced by LEGO, with the Danish toy giant aiming to be fully sustainable by 2030.

Tim Brooks, Vice President, Environmental Responsibility at the LEGO Group, said: “Children and parents will not notice any difference in the quality or appearance of the new elements, because plant-based polyethylene has the same properties as conventional polyethylene.

“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 of making all LEGO bricks using sustainable materials.”

The LEGO Group has partnered with WWF to support and build demand for sustainably sourced plastic.

Alix Grabowski, Senior Programme Officer at WWF, said: “It is essential that companies in each industry find ways to responsibly source their product materials and help ensure a future where people, nature and the economy thrive.”