Jay's Brick Blog

A blog about LEGO bricks

  • Home
  • About Me
  • LEGO Reviews
  • News
  • 2023 LEGO Sets
  • 2022 Advent Calendars

LEGO unveils first prototype brick created from recycled plastic

June 23, 2021 By Jay 2 Comments

These might look like generic grey 2 x 4 bricks, but what you’re seeing here are the very first prototype LEGO brick made completely out of recycled materials, representing a major breakthrough in LEGO’s sustainability efforts.

A team of more than 150 people are working to find sustainable solutions for LEGO products. Over the past three years, materials scientists and engineers tested over 250 variations of PET materials and hundreds of other plastic formulations.

The result is a prototype that meets several of their quality, safety and play requirements – including clutch power.

Maintaining LEGO’s high standards of quality and safety

It will be some time before bricks made from a recycled material appear in LEGO product boxes. The team will continue testing and developing the PET formulation and then assess whether to move to the pilot production phase. This next phase of testing is expected to take at least a year.

In a chat with the team responsible for this project, they did mention that they would love to hand them to consumers, but they are planning on getting it into the hands of consumers in the next 18-24 months.

Tim Brooks, Vice President of Environmental Responsibility said: “We know kids care about the environment and want us to make our products more sustainable. Even though it will be a while before they will be able to play with bricks made from recycled plastic, we want to let kids know we’re working on it and bring them along on the journey with us. Experimentation and failing is an important part of learning and innovation. Just as kids build, unbuild and rebuild with LEGO bricks at home, we’re doing the same in our lab.”

The prototype is made from recycled PET sourced from suppliers in the United States that use US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved processes to ensure quality.

On average, a one-litre plastic PET bottle provides enough raw material for ten 2 x 4 LEGO bricks.

Towards more sustainable products

The patent-pending material formulation increases the durability of PET to make it strong enough for LEGO bricks. The innovative process uses a bespoke compounding technology to combine the recycled PET with strengthening additives.

The recycled prototype brick is the latest development in making the LEGO Group’s products more sustainable.

In 2020, the company announced it will begin removing single-use plastic from its boxes. In 2018, it began producing elements from bio-polyethylene (bio-PE), made from sustainably sourced sugarcane.

Many LEGO sets contain elements made from bio-PE which is perfect for making smaller, softer pieces such as trees, branches, leaves and accessories for minifigures.

Bio-PE is not currently suitable for making harder, stronger elements such as the iconic LEGO bricks.

Brooks said: “We’re committed to playing our part in building a sustainable future for generations of children. We want our products to have a positive impact on the planet, not just with the play they inspire, but also with the materials we use. We still have a long way to go on our journey but are pleased with the progress we’re making.”

The LEGO Group’s focus on sustainable material innovation is just one of several different initiatives the company has in place to make a positive impact. The LEGO Group will invest up to US $400 million over three years to 2022 to accelerate its sustainability ambitions. For more information on how the LEGO Group wants to rebuild the world for the better, visit: LEGO.com/Sustainability

I was lucky enough to sit in a Group Roundtable with Tim Brooks, Vice President of Environmental Responsibility, Nelleke van der Puil, Vice President of Materials, who is also responsible for the sustainable materials program.

Look out for the interview content to be published tomorrow, as I’m still cleaning up the transcript, but here are some interesting tidbits the fan media learned:

  • It took over 250 iterations not just for stability, clutch and strength, but to ensure that they got the colour right. Additives were added to the plastic to make it safe, usable and amenable to moulding
  • LEGO are also making strides with the reduction of their carbon footprint (materials account for just over 30% of LEGO’s carbon footprint) – with this particular version of rPet (recycled polyethylene terephthalate) – they can cut the CO2 footprint of a brick by about 65%
  • LEGO has also committed to being carbon neutral across their owned operations by 2022
  • LEGO are exploring new shapes and even new colours out of recycled PET due to its unique properties
  • What about minifigures? They have tried and they can do it, but they’ll need a lot more work to make it truly sustainable as there is a different type of plastic used within minifigures.

To read the full interview with LEGO’s Sustainability and Materials team, be sure to check in tomorrow when I’ve cleaned up the transcript and edited it!

To get the latest LEGO news and LEGO Reviews straight in your inbox, subscribe via email, or you can also follow on Google News, or socials on Facebook, Instagram (@jayong28), Twitter or subscribe to the Jay’s Brick Blog Youtube channel.

Subscribe to receive updates on new posts and reviews!

Filed Under: News Tagged With: 2021, Nelleke van der Puil, prototype brick, recycled plastic, rpet, sustainability, tim brooks

« The LEGO Motorised Lighthouse will be the next LEGO Ideas set!
Review: LEGO 40468 Mini Adidas Superstar (gift with purchase) »

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  1. Ben says

    October 26, 2022 at 12:10 AM

    I wonder about chemical stability. Will the new bricks last 40 years, like the bricks I bought as a child?

    Reply
  2. Ian Hazlehurst says

    June 24, 2021 at 4:03 AM

    Not sure about the greyish white colour, but I do realise its early days and still experimental. I agree they do need to be carbon neutral too.

    Reply

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Jay's Brick Blog. In here, you'll find independent LEGO set reviews, commentary on LEGO trends & news, bargain hunting tips and an inside look into the life of an average LEGO fan. Find out more about me here

Subscribe for updates

Enter your email address here to receive updates about new posts from Jay's Brick Blog - straight to your inbox!

Join 4,076 other subscribers

Site Search

Buy LEGO

Buy LEGO

jayong28

Jay Ong | Jay's Brick Blog
Here's a pricing matrix of all current LEGO helmet Here's a pricing matrix of all current LEGO helmets, from Marvel to Star Wars 🙈

Thoughts on how the newly announced Star-Lord helmet stacks up against the others?

If you have any thoughts on how LEGO prices these helmets, I'd love to hear them! 🤓

#lego #reveal #76251 #legonews #legoleaks #lego2023 #afol #rlfm #nature #legomarvel #marvel #gotg #legosuperheroes
Presenting the new @lego Star-Lord themed Pencil a Presenting the new @lego Star-Lord themed Pencil and Stationery holder!

#lego #lego2023 #reveal #76251 #guardiansofthegalaxy #legoleaks
Here's your very first look at the new @lego 76251 Here's your very first look at the new @lego 76251 Star-Lord's Helmet, featuring a brick-built display piece of Peter Quill's helmet!

Hit the link in bio to see more!

 76251 Star-Lord's Helmet
🧩 602 pieces
💵 US$79.99 / AU$129.99 / £69.99
🗓 1 April 2023
🎨 TBD

And yes, LEGO are suggesting that this also functions as a pencil and stationery holder

#lego #reveal #76251 #legonews #legoleaks #lego2023 #afol #rlfm #nature #legomarvel #marvel #gotg #legosuperheroes
February Day 1 haul at the @lego store! #lego #le February Day 1 haul at the @lego store!

#lego #legoflowers #legoicons
How good do these new @lego Disney Brickheadz look How good do these new @lego Disney Brickheadz look? 

Three new Disney Brickheadz double packs will be released on 1 March 2023, and will retail for US$19.99 / AU$29.99 / £17.99

🧠 40619 EVE & WALL-E 
🧠 40620 Cruella de Vil & Maleficent
🧠 40621 Moana & Merida

Very excited to add these to my collection, especially Wall-E and EVE! 

#lego #legodisney #disney #legoleaks #legonews #disney100 #legobrickheadz #rlfm #reveal #40619 #40620 #40621
First look at @lego Harry Potter Dots with 41809 H First look at @lego Harry Potter Dots with 41809 Hedwig Pencil Holder!

Coming March 2023, with at least 2 other confirmed Dots sets: 41811 Hogwarts Desktop Kit and 41808 Hogwarts Accessories Pack.

Hit the link in bio to read more!

#lego #legodots #legoharrypotter #harrypotter #legoleaks #legonews #lego2023
Up next, here's a quick look at the @lego Captain Up next, here's a quick look at the @lego Captain Rex Helmet which comes out in March 2023!

Some really cool techniques here, especially the Jaig Eyes, but unfortunately the mismatched colour stickers just look nasty. 

Hit the link in bio for my full review!

Thanks to LEGO for sending this review copy over. 

#lego #LEGOstarwars #starwars #clonewars #legoreview #rlfm #reviews #75349
Happy International @LEGO Day! The 28th of Januar Happy International @LEGO Day!

The 28th of January commemorates the date where the first patent for the iconic LEGO brick was filed with the Danish Patent and Trademark Office in Denmark by then-owner Godtfred Kirk Christiansen.

Here's a photo of the patent which is on display in the history section of the @legohouse, which I got to see last year when I visited Billund!

There's tons of incredible historical artifacts, and I've also shared some other displays that commemorated this part of LEGO's history!

#lego #InternationalLEGODay #LEGOhouse #afol
Quick look at the new @lego Clone Commander Cody H Quick look at the new @lego Clone Commander Cody Helmet, coming in March 2023!

Hit the link in bio for my full review!

#lego #LEGOstarwars #starwars #clonewars #legoreview #rlfm #reviews #75350
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Follow on Facebook

Jay's Brick Blog

1 hour ago

Jay's Brick Blog
The BrickLink Designer Program Series 1 is now open for project submissions, and if you're successful, you could make a small fortune from it!Here's how much you could make if your submission makes it all the way to the crowdfunding round. This could absolutely be life-changing sums of money! ... See MoreSee Less

Here's how much money you could make from Bricklink Designer Program Series 1. Hint: a lot! - Jay's Brick Blog

jaysbrickblog.com

In December, Bricklink announced the return of the Bricklink Designer Program with a few small tweaks, and a soft-reset of the program, with submissions for Series 1 now open until 28 February 2023. B...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Jay's Brick Blog

18 hours ago

Jay's Brick Blog
With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever now streaming on Disney+, here's a review of 76214 Black Panther: War on the Water by contributor Vaderfan!A slightly lacklustre designed kept afloat by a great lineup of minifigures. If you're in Australia, the set is currently on sale for AU$69 at Kmart almost half price off! ... See MoreSee Less

Review: LEGO 76214 Black Panther: War on the Water - Jay's Brick Blog

jaysbrickblog.com

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was one of the biggest movies of the 2022, and the second highest grossing movie at the box office last year which features blue underwater warrior characters It’s als...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Jay's Brick Blog

2 days ago

Jay's Brick Blog
I put together this pricing matrix of all current LEGO helmets, from Marvel to Star Wars. Thoughts on how the newly announced Star-Lord Helmet stacks up against the others? jaysbrickblog.com/news/legos-new-76251-star-lords-helmet-also-serves-as-a-pencil-pot/ ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Recent Posts

  • Here’s how much money you could make from Bricklink Designer Program Series 1. Hint: a lot!
  • Review: LEGO 76214 Black Panther: War on the Water
  • LEGO’s new 76251 Star-Lord’s Helmet also serves as a pencil pot
  • LEGO 40585 World of Wonders and 40584 Birthday Diorama VIP rewards now available
  • Buying Guide: All the new LEGO sets releasing in February 2023
  • Full lineup of Harry Potter LEGO Dots sets revealed!
  • Three new LEGO Disney Brickheadz sets are coming soon, including Wall-E, Maleficent and Cruella!

LEGO Reviews

Review: LEGO Ideas 21301 Birds

Review: LEGO 75200 Ahch-To Island Training

Review: LEGO 41230 – Batgirl Batjet Chase

(Loot from Australia 2) Review: 7950 – Kingdoms – Knight’s Showdown

Review: LEGO Ninjago EVO Dragons (71760, 71762)

Review: LEGO 75098 – “UCS” Assault on Hoth

Review: LEGO 71395 Super Mario 64 Question Mark Block

Categories

Archives

Jay

Jay is passionate about LEGO and the endless creative adventures made possible by this complex interlocking brick system.
Learn more →

Popular Posts

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · WordPress · Log in We may earn a commission when you use one of our offers/links to make a purchase.