September 18 2020  |  Gifts & Children's Products

LEGO Group to invest big to accelerate sustainability efforts

By Laura Shirk

Moving forward, LEGO will begin to phase out single-use plastic bags from its boxes to make all packaging sustainable by 2025 and make further investments in achieving zero waste & carbon neutral operations and inspiring children to learn about sustainability through play

The LEGO Group has announced plans to invest up to US$400 million over three years to accelerate sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. The investment will cover both long-term investments and ongoing costs. The company, which has made a series of moves over the past 10 years to build a better planet for future generations, believes it’s increasingly urgent and important to prioritize environmental and social activity.

“We cannot lose sight of the fundamental challenges facing future generations. It’s critical we take urgent action now to care for the planet and future generations. 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. We believe they should have access to opportunities to develop the skills necessary to create a sustainable future. We will step up our efforts to use our resources, networks, expertise and platforms to make a positive difference,” comments Niels B. Christiansen, CEO, The LEGO Group.

As a next step, the company will begin to phase out single-use plastic bags used in LEGO boxes to package the loose bricks. This is part of its ambition to make all its packaging sustainable by the end of 2025. From 2021, Forest Stewardship Council-certified recyclable paper bags will be trialled in boxes.

“We have received many letters from children about the environment asking us to remove single-use plastic packaging. We have been exploring alternatives for some time and the passion and ideas from children inspired us to begin to make the change,” adds Christiansen.

Moving away from the existing packaging is not a simple task and will take time as new material must be durable, lightweight and enhance the building experience. Several prototypes made from a range of different sustainable materials have so far been tested with hundreds of parents and children. Children liked the paper bags being trialled in 2021, as they were environmentally friendly and easy to open.

Long-term investment in building a sustainable future

In addition to developing and implementing sustainable materials, the up to US$400 million investment will also focus on a range of social and environmentally focused actions to learn about sustainability through play, make the business more circular and achieve waste & carbon neutral operations.

Children

By 2022, the LEGO Group aims to reach 8 million children around the world annually with learning through play via a range of activities with partners, in collaboration with the LEGO Foundation. It will build on its work with organizations such as UNICEF, Save the Children and local partners to scale up programs that give children-in-need access to play and opportunities to develop life-long skills such as problem solving, collaboration and communication.

Circularity

The LEGO System in Play inspires endless play possibilities that support the principles of circular design – a product made of quality materials that can be used and reused. The quality, durability, safety and consistency of LEGO bricks means they can be passed from generation to generation.

Programs will be put in place to encourage people to donate their pre-loved bricks to children in need of play.

LEGO Replay, which was successfully trialled in the United States in 2019, will be rolled out in two additional countries by the end of 2022. To date, LEGO Replay has donated bricks to over 23,000 children across the United States.

Zero waste & carbon neutral operations

The Group’s manufacturing operations will be carbon neutral by 2022. To achieve this, additional solar panels will be installed on all its factories and on-site capacity will be supplemented with the procurement of renewable energy. Further investments will be made to improve energy usage such as installing new systems that use ambient air in cooling processes during LEGO brick production.

“At a time when the world is facing numerous challenges, companies must take action to create a lasting positive impact on the environment and society. No one can do it alone. I urge companies, governments, parents, children and NGOs to continue to join forces to create a sustainable future for our children, the builders of tomorrow,” concludes Christiansen.

REGION Asia

Brand News

November 30 2023

Lacoste opens duty free boutique…

LACOSTE is pleased to announce the opening of a duty-free boutique in Terminal 4 of Singapore Changi Airport, in LE CLUB…

November 29 2023

Veuve Clicquot celebrates 250 years…

Moët Hennessy Travel Retail and Extime Duty Free Paris are currently hosting a captivating Veuve Clicquot pop-up at Paris…

November 28 2023

Lancôme and The Louvre bring unique…

​In partnership with Lagardère Travel Retail, Lancôme Travel Retail, a subsidiary of the L'Oréal Group, proudly announces…

November 28 2023

NUXE launches Sweet Lemon range,…

Renowned beauty brand NUXE has unveiled its latest organic skincare line – the Sweet Lemon range. This innovative collection,…

November 28 2023

PATRÓN® and Lotte Duty Free unveil…

At Melbourne Airport throughout October and November, travelers are being welcomed into an…

November 27 2023

Premiumization, experiences, activations…

The Diageo Global Travel team remains excited about the potential of the travel retail space. This sector offers unique opportunities…

November 24 2023

Moët Hennessy Travel Retail reveals…

In collaboration with DFS Group, it has unveiled the House of Hennessy boutique, at the T Galleria by DFS, Macau, Shoppes…

November 24 2023

Category growth and cross-category…

An update on Nestlé International Travel Retail’s ambition to make food the number one most purchased category in the channel;…

November 24 2023

Mavala's ultimate guide to beauty…

A closer look at the brand's newly launched skincare-infused make-up range and position as an educational source on identifying…

Copyright 2023 DutyFree Magazine. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Sitemap