Here’s a breakdown of the key data from the CBS Saturday Morning article about LEGO:
* LEGO’s Success: LEGO is the top-grossing toy company globally, fostering connection through building and shared experiences.The sound of the bricks rattling in the box is instantly recognizable.
* Plastic dependency: Despite its popularity, LEGO faces a significant sustainability challenge.Its bricks are almost entirely made of plastic, derived from fossil fuels.
* Environmental Impact: Producing one ton of LEGO requires two tons of petrochemicals. The company makes 60 billion bricks annually, with large sets requiring over 60 pounds of petrochemical equivalent.
* Failed Sustainability Efforts: LEGO abandoned a “bottles to bricks” initiative in 2023 as the recycled material woudl have increased emissions.
* Quality & Safety Standards: LEGO defends its continued use of plastic by emphasizing the high quality, durability, and precision engineering of its bricks, ensuring compatibility across decades. They state bricks must meet extremely high safety standards for children.
* Climate Pledges: The company has made ambitious climate pledges but hasn’t yet found a sustainable option to plastic.
