Lego swaps plastic packaging for paper bags: 'Children inspired us to make the change'

Children’s toy company Lego has confirmed that it will be switching single-use plastic packaging for recyclable paper, after receiving letters from children calling for change.

From 2021, recyclable paper bags will be trialled in boxes of Lego products. Various prototypes were tested with children and their parents, who chose a sustainably sourced paper due to the doubly environmental credentials.

"We have received many letters from children about the environment asking us to remove single-use plastic packaging," Lego Group’s chief executive Niels B Christiansen has said.

"We have been exploring alternatives for some time and the passion and ideas from children inspired us to begin to make the change," he added. "As a company who looks to children as our role models, we are inspired by the millions of kids who have called for more urgent action on climate change."

The Lego Group uses 90,000 tonnes of plastic in its products each year, but has confirmed that it aims to make its packaging completely sustainable by 2025.

It is reportedly investing up to $400m (£310m) in the effort, with a team of 150 engineers and scientists currently testing plant-based and recycled materials for potential use in making Lego bricks.

The toy company has also confirmed plans to expand its use of bio-bricks, which are partially made from plant-based sugar cane. First launched in 2018, the bio-brick Lego can be recycled as many times as needed.

Awareness of the environmental damage of single-use plastics increased dramatically after David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II devoted a lot of time to the issue back in 2017.

It has led many people to change their habits, shifting towards a more environmentally-minded lifestyle, with 88 per cent of people who watched the show admitting to changing their behaviour after watching. Half of these people said they had “drastically changed” their behaviour, and half said they had “somewhat changed” it.

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