LEGO Chooses Paper Over Plastic in Latest Sustainability Push

Source: The LEGO Group

The LEGO Group is making yet another big move in its ongoing efforts toward sustainability.

The Danish brickmaker is dumping the single-use plastic bags that have been a staple of LEGO building sets for years in favor of environmentally friendly, easy-to-open paper bags. The move comes alongside a $400 million pledge over the next three years to accelerate the company’s long-running sustainability and social responsibility efforts.

“We cannot lose sight of the fundamental challenges facing future generations,” says 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 that 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.”

Beginning next year, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified recyclable paper bags will be used in a trial run as the company works toward making all of its packaging sustainable by 2025.

Source: The LEGO Group

Additionally, LEGO plans to be carbon-neutral by 2022 with the goal of producing fully sustainable products by 2030.

Christiansen adds that the company will continue working with organizations including UNICEF, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, World Wild Fund for Nature, RE100, and Save the Children in an effort to make a greater social impact around the world.

About the author

James Zahn

James Zahn, AKA The Rock Father, is Editor-in-Chief of The Toy Book, a Senior Editor at The Toy Insider and The Pop Insider, and Editor of The Toy Report, The Toy Book‘s weekly industry newsletter. As a pop culture and toy industry expert, Zahn has appeared as a panelist and guest at events including Comic-Con International: San Diego (SDCC) Wizard World Chicago, and the ASTRA Marketplace & Academy. Zahn has more than 30 years of experience in the entertainment, retail, and publishing industries, and is frequently called upon to offer expert commentary for publications such as Forbes, Marketwatch, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, Reuters, the Washington Post, and more. James has appeared on History Channel’s Modern Marvels, was interviewed by Larry King and Anderson Cooper, and has been seen on Yahoo! Finance, CNN, CNBC, FOX Business, NBC, ABC, CBS, WGN, The CW, and more. Zahn joined the Adventure Media & Events family in 2016, initially serving as a member of the Parent Advisory Board after penning articles for the Netflix Stream Team, Fandango Family, PBS KIDS, Sprout Parents (now Universal Kids), PopSugar, and Chicago Parent. He eventually joined the company full time as a Senior Editor and moved up the ranks to Deputy Editor and Editor-in-Chief.