Lego is considering a brick(积木)rental plan in an attempt to cut down on plastic waste. The Danish toymaker has promised to make all its bricks from sustainable(可持续的)materials by 2030 and is investing significant resources in finding alternatives.
Tim Brooks, vice-president responsible for sustainability, said the company was "totally open" to the idea of the product rental plan but admitted that lost pieces could produce a significant problem. "What are the chances of giving them to an eight-year-old child and getting them all back again?"Mr. Brooks added.
"There is a lot of technical thinking that needs to be done. We are right at the beginning. "Mr. Brooks said Lego was exploring several ideas with a view to producing the highest value from products while consuming the fewest resources. He said many would" probably never see the light of day" and that there is no current plan to try out the rental plan.
Lego has come under increasing pressure to reduce its carbon footprint for growing international alarm about the impact of plastic waste on the environment. It produces 19 billion pieces per year—36, 000 a minute—that are made entirely of plastic while much of the inside packaging is also plastic.
So far, the only breakthrough has been the development of a line of bricks made of plant-based plastic sourced from sugarcane. The green trees, plants and flowers were first included in Lego sets late last year but currently make up only 1%— 2% of total plastic elements produced. Henrik Nielson, a production supervisor(主管)in Lego's factory, said last year:" We need to learn again how to do this."
Lego reportedly releases around a million tons of carbon dioxide each year, with about 75% coming from raw materials that go into factories. The company has invested more than 100, 000, 000 euros and hired 100 people to research non-plastic alternatives. It is aiming to keep all of its packaging out of landfill by 2025.
