Danish toy giant Lego have unveiled its first bricks made from recycled plastic bottles, which it hopes to make commercially available within the next two years. The Chemical Engineer reports that material scientists and engineers at the company have been developing the method over the last three years.
More than 250 variations of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) materials were tested to develop a prototype that complies with strict quality and safety standards. The 4×2 bricks are made from PET plastic from discarded bottles, with additives to give them the strength required for Lego’s trademark interlocking bricks.
The Guardian reports that on average, every 1-litre plastic bottle used in the process provides enough material for 10 4×2 Lego bricks. The prototype still requires further testing and development of up to one year before it is ready to enter pilot production. Lego has pledged to make its products more sustainable, and is investing £286m towards the aim.
The toymaker has already made progress towards its eco-goals, and has previously introduced the use of bio-plastics made from sustainably sourced sugar cane to make softer pieces such as trees and figurines accessories. However, bio-polyethylene is not strong enough to make Lego’s plastic bricks.
Tim Brooks, Vice President of Environmental Responsibility at the LEGO Group, said: “We are super excited about this breakthrough. The biggest challenge on our sustainability journey is rethinking and innovating new materials that are as durable, strong and high quality as our existing bricks – and fit with LEGO elements made over the past 60 years.”
The pigments used to dye the bricks are not oil-based, and Lego have announced that they are working to improve the sustainability levels of the dye even further. The company also intends to implement a policy of removing single-use plastic from its product packaging.
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