Lego tests brick samples made from recycled PET

The LEGO company showed off its first prototype bricks made from rPET, building on its 2015 pledge to invest in more sustainable plastics for traditional ABS materials
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The white bricks on display still require additional testing to ensure they can withstand hours of play and snap into existing bricks accurately, the company said in a press release
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They also had to be able to fit into existing injection moulding tools and presses within LEGO's existing production range
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The PET used in the samples comes from recycled water bottles, and a 1-liter plastic bottle provides enough raw material for 10 2×4 LEGO bricks
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“We are very excited about this breakthrough
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The biggest challenge on our path to sustainability is to rethink and innovate new materials to be as strong and durable as our existing bricks and to match the LEGO >
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Lego said it expects to spend an additional $400 million and build a team of 150 people to find more sustainable materials for its products
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Over the past three years, the company has tested more than 250 PET and other plastics
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In 2018, LEGO began producing building blocks from bio-PE made from sugar cane
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Many LEGOs now use this PE to make smaller, softer objects such as trees, branches, and accessories for miniatures
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But Lego says bio-based materials are not suitable for hard products such as building blocks
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Lego says it will be a while before it starts selling bricks made from recycled materials
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