LEGO has begun production on a new set of elements which are made from plant-based plastic, sourced from sugarcane.

The Danish firm says that 1 – 2 percent of its elements (which include trees, shrubs and leaves) will be made with polyethylene made from ethanol derived from sugarcane plants.

The aim of LEGO is to move away from using oil-based plastics to more sustainable products for its core products and packaging by 2030.

The new, sustainable elements will be physically identical to current LEGO pieces.

“We are proud that the first LEGO elements made from sustainably sourced plastic are in production and will be in LEGO boxes this year. This is a great first step in our ambitious commitment of making all LEGO bricks using sustainable materials,” Tim Brooks, vice president of environmental responsibility at the LEGO Group said in a statement.

The firm is working with a number of institutions including the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance to secure fully sustainable sourcing of raw materials for the bioplastics industry.

LEGO’s switch to more sustainable plastics builds on the firm’s commitment to building a more environmentally friendly business. Currently the firm also invests in wind power and recycling plastic waste to keep it out of landfills.

[Image – CC 0 Pixabay]