O Grupo LEGO acabou de emitir um comunicado sobre uma das medidas que irão tomar no futuro de modo a acelerar o processo de sustentabilidade ambiental da empresa (e que no total representa um investimento superior a 400 milhões de dólares).
Fica aqui o comunicado
oficial.
LEGO Group to invest up to US$400 million over
three years to accelerate sustainability efforts
·
Next step is to
begin to phase out single-use plastic bags from LEGO boxes in latest move to
make all packaging sustainable by 2025.
·
Further
investments will also be made in creating more sustainable products, achieving
zero waste & carbon neutral operations, circularity and inspiring children
to learn about sustainability through play.
BILLUND, September 15th, 2020: The LEGO Group today announced it plans to invest up to US$400 million –
covering ongoing costs and long-term investments - across three years to
accelerate sustainability and social responsibility initiatives. 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 prioritise environmental and social activity.
The LEGO Group CEO, Niels B Christiansen said: “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.”
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.
Christiansen said: “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.”
Moving away from the existing packaging is not a simple task and will take
time as new material must be durable, light weight 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$400million investment will also focus on a range of social and
environmentally focussed actions to inspire children through learning through
play, making the business more circular, and achieving carbon neutral
operations. The activity will drive meaningful, long-term change aligned to two
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: #4 Quality Education and #12
Responsible Consumption and Production:
Children
By 2022, the LEGO Group aims to reach 8 million children around the world
annually with learning through play through a range of activities with
partners, in collaboration with the LEGO Foundation. It will build on its work
with organisations such as UNICEF, Save the Children and local partners to
scale up programmes that give children-in-need access to play and opportunities
to develop life-long skills such as problem solving, collaboration and
communication. In 2019, 1.8 million children were reached through such
programmes. 25% of profits from the LEGO Group go to funding the LEGO
Foundation’s projects, activities and partnerships.
Circularity
The LEGO System in Play inspires endless play possibilities that supports
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 mean they can be passed from generation to generation. Bricks made
today, fit those made more than 40 years ago.
Programmes 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. So far, LEGO Replay has donated bricks
to over 23,000 children across the United States.
Sustainable Materials
Work will continue on the company’s Sustainable Materials Programme, which
employs more than 150 experts, to create sustainable products and packaging. In
2015, the Group set a target to make its products from sustainable materials by
2030. It will expand its use of bio-bricks, such as those made from sugar cane,
which currently account for almost 2% of its element portfolio.
It will continue research into new, more sustainable plastics from
renewable and recycled sources, and join forces with research institutes and
other companies especially those developing new recycling and bio-based
material production technologies to find materials which are as durable and
high quality as those used today.
The planned investments include both costs associated with the development
of new sustainable materials and the investments in manufacturing equipment.
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 onsite capacity will be supplemented with the procurement of renewable
energy. Further investments will be made to improve energy usage, for example
by installing new systems that use ambient air in cooling processes during LEGO
brick production.
Improved waste handling and reduction in water consumption will further
reduce the Group’s operational impact on the environment. No waste will be
diverted to landfill by 2025 and water use will drop by 10% by 2022
Joining forces to have a positive impact
The LEGO Group will continue to work with organisations such as the Ellen
MacArthur Foundation, World Wild Fund for Nature, RE100, UNICEF and Save the
Children in order to create the greatest impact.
Christiansen said: “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.”
Speaking about the letters the company receives about sustainability from
children, Vice President, Environmental Sustainability, Tim Brooks said:
“Children share the most fantastic and creative ideas about how we can be more
environmentally friendly when they contact us. We respond to every letter and
many are shared with the CEO and Environmental Responsibility team for further
consideration. I love hearing from children. It’s the best part of my job!”
If you know a child that has an idea to help shape the LEGO Group's
sustainability ambitions, visit LEGO.com/service to share it with Tim and the team.
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