The LEGO Group has made a significant step forward in its efforts to replace single-use plastic bags used in LEGO set packaging with paper-based alternatives. The development is part of the company’s wider sustainability strategy, aimed at reducing plastic waste and keeping up with its environmental commitments.
Last year, the company revealed its plan for phasing out plastic pre-pack bags used to organize LEGO bricks in its packaging. That has seen the company slowly substitute these plastic bags with recyclable paper bags and now begin the process here in the Americas. It fits the long-term environmental objectives LEGO has set for itself in making all its products out of renewable or recycled material by 2032, and reaching net-zero emission across its value chain by 2050. Until 2032, the company will also be cutting its carbon emissions by 37 percent from its 2019 baseline.
From researches and developments, LEGO assured themselves that the new materials achieved and met the highest standards concerning its quality and durability. Out of over 180 test varieties of paper, one was found to be workable in the manufacturing, durable during transportation, and has an enjoyable user experience at times. These tests discovered that paper bags were not only recyclable but also added a certain fun and excitement element to opening the product. That factor, in fact, very much appealed to kids.
To accommodate the shift, LEGO has made modifications to its manufacturing processes. Packaging lines in factories worldwide have been updated, and humidity control systems have been enhanced since paper is more sensitive to moisture than plastic. Additionally, the new paper bags have been verified as recyclable in major regions, including the EU, the U.S., and Canada.
The sustainability strategy from LEGO goes beyond the boundaries of packaging and aims at making products and materials that create minimal carbon footprints. Therefore, it has a promise of investing in alternative material alternatives for bricks and sustainable and functional packaging.
According to the latest update from LEGO, the factories of this company across the world have begun to produce the new paper-based bags. Its facilities in Europe and Asia have been given the lead for this rollout, and production in the Americas is ready to start as well. This is an important milestone for the global rollout of the initiative.
On its site, LEGO listed other benefits to the new packaging. According to the company, not only are paper bags earth-friendly, but they also present a better experience when unboxed for the child. In contrast with the transparent plastic bags that can be seen through, the paper bags are opaque, and the bricks inside are unknown until opened. And, as noted, more paper-based bags are created to stand up, keeping loose bricks in place during a build.
Replacing plastic packaging is part of the wide-ranging sustainability efforts of LEGO. These include waste reduction, environmental impact minimization, and the use of materials that support a circular economy. The company’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in its investments in research and its willingness to adapt its operations according to global environmental standards.
This will help LEGO continue taking strides towards its sustainability journey. With a focus on innovation and responsibility, LEGO can serve as a role model in the toy industry to not only achieve but also prove that creativity and sustainability can exist side by side.