The zero-waste movement has inspired millions of us to change our eating habits, drinking habits, and personal hygiene habits. And now, with LEGO leading the way, we can add our children’s play toys to the list of sustainable products. The 85-year-old family company is shifting the production of its popular interlocking bricks from petroleum plastic to plant-based plastics. They committed to this shift 100% by the year 2030. (1)
The Plastic Purge
Plastic is a hot topic among environmentalists. For instance, we hear reports of plastic waste in the ocean, ingested by marine animals, which causes concern. Additionally, China refusing any more plastics from the United States raises alarm as well.
Some companies are shifting to compostable products to protect marine life. Many of us never leave our homes without our reusable straws and/or water bottles. In addition, you can buy toothpaste or deodorant without plastic packaging. There are even six-packs of beer with the rings made from compostable and edible products. (2)
It’s nice to hear our children’s toys are heading in the same direction. Plastic toys have been around since plastic itself. And unfortunately, they will be around for centuries to come. (3) Made from petroleum, plastic has a very controversial life-cycle from beginning to end. Ensuring the items we use daily don’t have a negative impact on the planet is important to many millennials. Millennials want to inspire the next generation to practice sustainable habits as well, starting with how their children play. (4) Plant-based plastics may be the next step in our evolution of industrialized products.
Sustainable and Long-Lasting- Finding a Balance
The LEGO Group is looking at bioplastics as their replacement for petroleum products. (1) Bioplastics, or plant-based plastics, are made from plants like corn or sugarcane. It’s commonly used in food packaging, plastic bottles, and textiles. (5)
However, some environmentalists are critical of bioplastic. Plant-based plastics, while made from sustainable sources, are just as durable as real petroleum plastic, lasting for decades. Which means, if they end up in the ocean, it still endangers many marine animals’ lives. (5) Plastic, these environmentalists say, is still plastic. Compostable products are preferable for single-use items, as they break down much quicker. However, for items we want to keep around for years, options outside bioplastics are limited.
The company making LEGO products sets high standards for their toys. They want their toys passed down from generation to generation, inspiring new builders of tomorrow. (1) But sustainability is important to them. For example, in 2019, LEGO launched their Replay program, a service to donate old, used LEGO products to those in need. (1) They also pushed their shift to 100% recyclable and Forest Stewardship Council certified packaging forward from 2030 to 2025.
There is no perfect solution, but small steps are better than none. As Anne-Marie Bonneau, known as the Zero-Waste Chef says “We don’t need a few people doing zero-waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” (6)
Being the Change the Toy World Needs
Our lives are inundated with plastic. So, it may seem trivial to focus on just one small percentage of our daily use. But often small changes lead to bigger victories. The decision from LEGO has spurred other mega-giants in the toy industry– namely Hasbro and Mattel– to step up their sustainability models. (4)
LEGO is catering to parents who have a concern about their impact on the planet. And this makes LEGO stand out. While it may not be the perfect solution to the plastic crisis, moving from petroleum plastic to plant-based plastic seems to be the smartest and most effective move for children’s toys.
It’s still going to hurt when you step on LEGO bricks. But at least, now, the pain won’t cause lasting effects on the environment. And that’s a step in the right direction.
There are also lots of benefits to playing with toys like Legos, instead of online video games. Learn more:
