LEGO drops recycled plastic prototype
LEGO has stated the rPET LEGO brick prototype is not being progressed as ‘it wouldn’t have helped us reduce carbon emissions’.
LEGO haS set itself a target to reduce carbon emissions by 37% by 2032 and longer-term pledged to be net-zero by 2050.
The material rPET is being dropped after two years of testing, as despite having shown potential, they have not met LEGO’s ‘strict quality, safety and durability requirements or helped reduce their carbon footprint’.
LEGO says it has tested more than 300 different materials. Some have been successful, such as bio-PE which it uses to make botanical elements and accessories.
LEGO says it believes there are potentially better alternatives that will help it meet its ‘sustainability ambitions’.
The firm has committed to triple spending on sustainability initiatives to $1.4blm in the four years to 2025 and is working to make their products from more sustainable and circular materials by 2032.
They have stated, ‘This is the nature of innovation – especially when it comes to something as complex and ambitious as our sustainable materials programme. Some things will work, others won’t.’
Adding, ‘We receive hundreds of letters from children each year with ideas of how we can be more sustainable. We want them to know we’re listening and trying hard.’
