As stated in their recent sustainability and financial report, the Lego Group has increased the amount of renewable or recycled sources used to produce its products to more than 50 percent, with just under one-third of all materials sourced from these types of materials for this year's Lego products.

This year, Lego Group has used 52 percent of its material for its bricks from renewable or recycled sources, compared to only 33 percent last year. They continue to work toward transitioning away from using fossil fuel-based plastics and other types of plastics typically found in toy manufacturing.

What materials are the Lego bricks made of

The Lego brick is composed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, which is an impact-resistant plastic derived from fossil fuels. The plastic is durable and precise. Therefore, it is possible for the Lego bricks produced decades ago to fit the ones produced today.

As a result of the technical specification of the material, it has not been an easy task for the company to change the material of the Lego brick. According to the company, they have been testing hundreds of materials that can be used as an alternative to the current material.

How renewable and recycled materials are used

The increase in the use of renewable and recycled materials is largely due to a system called mass balance certification.

In this system, fossil fuels are blended with renewable and recycled materials during production. These renewable and recycled materials may be plant oils, waste materials, and chemical feedstocks, among others.

Certification is then used to monitor the amount of renewable and recycled materials that are incorporated into the production chain.

Although each individual brick may be made of a mix of materials, the system gives companies a way of measuring the amount of sustainable materials used compared to the total production.

The company stated that a large portion of the resin used for making bricks is sourced from suppliers who use the system.

Wider environmental efforts

In addition to these physical measures, the company has also stepped up its investment in sustainability initiatives. According to its latest sustainability report, the company has increased its investment in renewable energy, including solar power at its manufacturing facilities and agreements to purchase renewable electricity.

The company’s packaging initiatives and research into alternative materials are also part of its wider environmental efforts.

Challenges in reducing plastic use

The reduction of environmental impact associated with plastic products is a complex issue. The material used in toys has to be safe and durable. This is a barrier to alternatives to plastics used in toys. 

For various manufacturing processes, alternatives to fossil-based plastics derived from recycled or renewable resources are being sought. However, these alternatives are associated with certain challenges. 

For Lego, using more renewable and recycled materials is a gradual process and not a total switch from conventional plastics.