LEGO bets big on sustainable future

By MIKE HRYMAK | June 22, 2015

Everything may be awesome now, but The LEGO Group is committed to making sure its products will be around to inspire architects and builders for generations to come. Last week, the Danish toy icon announced that it will invest $150 million to create its own research center for sustainable materials. Its goal is finding sustainable alternatives for the 60 billion plastic parts it produces annually for products and packaging. While LEGO's focus is on toys, its R&D will likely affect all industries that work with plastic, including architecture.

“Our mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow”

— LEGO's Kjeld K. Kristiansen

LEGO owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen — *LEGO owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen*

"Our mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow," said LEGO Group owner Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen. "The investment announced is a testament to our continued ambition to leave a positive impact on the planet, which future generations will inherit."

Historically, that impact has already been large in the construction industry, where LEGO has long been seen by architects and others as a key creative inspiration. That link now seems likely to get much stronger. LEGO's new Sustainable Materials Research Center will be sited at its headquarters in Billund, Denmark. The toymaker aims to replace all its current materials by 2030.

To learn more about LEGO's new Sustainable Materials Research Center, click here.