Renewable materials
A renewable resource does not run out because it is (or can be) naturally replaced – like wind, trees and plants. We refer to these materials as renewable, plant-based or bio-based.
In 2018, we started making LEGO® elements from bio-polyethylene (bio-PE) – a soft, durable and flexible plastic derived from Brazilian sugarcane. Because we want our products to be durable and safe for generations of children, this plant-based plastic is not biodegradable (or edible!)
It seemed only natural to make botanical-themed elements first, so we made leaves, bushes and trees – plants from plants! We’ve since expanded the range and now make around 150 of our LEGO elements from bio-PE, including many of our LEGO minifigure accessories.
In fact, about half of all LEGO sets are designed to contain at least one of these plant-based elements.
We make sure that the sugarcane used to make LEGO elements grows at the same rate as we use it, is sourced sustainably using guidance from our partner WWF and doesn’t compromise food security. To address this, we source Brazilian sugarcane that is certified by the Bonsucro Chain of Custody standard for responsible sources.
