The LEGO Group to invest $400 million in sustainability drive

Over the next three years, the LEGO Group will invest $400 million in efforts to meet sustainability targets, educate children and reuse LEGO bricks.

The LEGO Group has two ambitious targets – to make all packaging sustainable by 2025 and all products sustainable by 2030. Today, the company is announcing plans to further the sustainability agenda by providing education to children, increase the reuse of bricks and make manufacturing carbon neutral.

A $400 million investment over three years will allow the company to make changes, including the trialling of paper bags instead of plastic bags in LEGO set boxes. Further progress will be funded into finding a replacement for ABS, so that all LEGO bricks are made from sustainable materials.

Beyond meeting the company’s manufacturing targets, the investment will be used for “inspiring children through learning through play, making the business more circular, and achieving carbon neutral operations.” According to the announcement, this will meet two United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – #4 Quality Education and #12 Responsible Consumption and Production.

Circularity is being covered by LEGO replay, a scheme that allows old bricks to be returned to the LEGO Group so they can be reused. The scheme was trialled in the USA and will be rolled out to two more countries in 2022.

Plans are also afoot to make manufacturing carbon neutral by 2022, with the LEGO Group installing solar panels on all factories and by reducing energy usage.  

“Children share the most fantastic and creative ideas about how we can be more environmentally friendly when they contact us,” says LEGO Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Tim Brooks. “We respond to every letter and many are shared with the CEO and Environmental Responsibility team for further consideration. I love hearing from children. It’s the best part of my job!”

 “We cannot lose sight of the fundamental challenges facing future generations,” says the LEGO Group CEO, Niels B Christiansen. “It’s critical we take urgent action now to care for the planet and future generations. As a company who looks to children as our role models, we are inspired by the millions of kids who have called for more urgent action on climate change. We believe they should have access to opportunities to develop the skills necessary to create a sustainable future. We will step up our efforts to use our resources, networks, expertise and platforms to make a positive difference.”

To continue to support the work of Brick Fanatics, please buy your LEGO sets from LEGO.com and Amazon using our affiliate links.