Lego recently announced that they will start producing pieces from sustainable material: sugar cane. The toys, which will be indistinguishable* from classic Legos, will also feature “botanical* elements” like leaves, bushes, and trees. Lego’s current bricks are made from oil-based plastics.

“We want to make a positive impact on the world around us, and are working hard to make great play products for children using sustainable materials,” said Tim Brooks, vice president, environmental responsibility at the Lego Group, in a statement. “This is a great first step in our ambitious commitment of making all Lego bricks using sustainable materials.”

The new line of production has reportedly already started with pieces being produced from sugarcane polyethylene, which is a soft, durable and flexible plastic — technically identical to those produced using conventional plastic. Lego says that we needn’t worry about the quality of the new products, as they’ve tested the plant-based plastic to ensure that it meets the high standards for quality and safety that consumers expect from the company.

The move is part of Lego’s campaign to use sustainable materials in its core products and packaging by 2030, a move in which they have already invested US$165 million. According to a research report, 4 percent of the world’s petroleum is used as a raw material to make plastic, and another 4 percent is used in the plastic-making process. Since plastic is so ubiquitous and so notoriously non-eco-friendly, finding ways to replace it is extremely important.

Lego has partnered with WWF to play their part, joining the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance (BFA), which supports the responsible development of plastics made from plant material.

“It is essential that companies in each industry find ways to responsibly source their product materials and help ensure a future where people, nature and the economy thrive,” said Alix Grabowski, a senior program officer at WWF.

“The LEGO Group’s decision to pursue sustainably sourced bio-based plastics represents an incredible opportunity to reduce dependence on finite resources.”

Words to Learn 相关词汇

【难区分的】nán qūfèn de indistinguishable impossible to

differentiate or tell apart

【植物学的】zhíwùxué de botanical of or relating to plants or plant life

最近，乐高宣布他们将开始以甘蔗为可持续原料生产玩具。这些玩具将以植物元素（如叶子、灌木、树木）为特色，它们和经典乐高积木没什么差别。目前，乐高积木由石油基塑料制成。

乐高集团环保责任部副总裁蒂姆·布鲁克斯表示：“我们希望积极影响周围世界，目前正致力于使用可持续材料，为儿童制造优质玩具。我们承诺将使用可持续材料制造所有乐高积木，这是我们迈出的第一大步。”

据报告，新产品线已经开始采用由甘蔗聚乙烯制成的部件——它们和由传统塑料制成的部件一模一样。这种聚乙烯是一种柔软、耐久、灵活的塑料。乐高称，人们无需担忧新产品的质量问题。他们检测过植物基塑料，以确保它在质量和安全方面符合消费者所期待的高标准。

乐高计划在2030年实现采用可持续材料制造核心产品及产品包装，为此已投入1.65亿美元。根据一份研究报告：全球4%的石油被用作塑料原材料，另外4%用于塑料生产过程。由于塑料无处不在，且在环保方面臭名昭著，所以设法取代塑料非常重要。为此，乐高和世界自然基金会合作，又加入生物塑料原料联盟，后者为开发由植物材料制成的环保塑料提供资金。

世界自然基金会的高级项目专员阿利克斯·格拉博夫斯基表示：“各个产业的企业都应该设法采购环保产品材料，帮助人类、自然和经济在未来发展，这点非常重要。乐高集团决定采用可持续生物基塑料，这是减少依赖有限资源的绝佳机会。”

(Chinadaily.com.cn)