LEGO replaces plastic bags with paper in over half of packaging lines

The LEGO Group has reached a significant milestone in its efforts to make all packaging more sustainable. The company announced that 56% of its packing lines that house LEGO bricks have transitioned away from single-use plastic bags. These have been replaced by paper-based alternatives made from sustainably sourced and technically recyclable materials.

The transition, which began in 2022, is now largely complete at LEGO's factories in China and Vietnam. Full implementation at the remaining factories in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Mexico is scheduled by 2027. The company stated that 93% of LEGO's packaging by weight already consists of paper and cardboard, making the vast majority of its packaging recyclable.

LEGO highlighted children's interest in recycling, citing its 'Play Well' study. The research found that 81% of children aged 5-12 care about recycling, and 80% are interested in reducing waste. The company intends to continue developing its packaging solutions.

Jesper Toubøl, VP of R&D Packing and Packaging at LEGO Group, described the company's efforts as an ongoing continuous improvement journey. He noted that after the rollout of paper bags is complete, LEGO will explore ways to further enhance the bags and the building experience they offer. The goal is also to increase the speed of the paper-based packing lines to surpass the performance of the plastic packaging machines they are replacing.