As part of their environmentally responsible approach to production and distribution, The Lego Group has committed to use only FSC Certified paper for all their products by 2015.
The move comes soon after the LEGO Group’s parent company KIRKBI A/S announced they will invest 3 Billion Kroner (about $ 500 Million USD) in offshore wind turbines over the next four years.
Being a plastic toy, Lego has a hard road ahead – finding alternative, environmentally sustainable ways of producing their plastic bricks, but they are taking great leaps ahead of other toy companies in the areas they can change.
Heavily investing in wind power and supporting the use of sustainable forests for their 85,000 tons of paper per year are just two of the significant ways Lego is ensuring a cleaner future for kids who enjoy their product so much.
Yet another reason to support and enjoy Lego – But it’s not like I need any more encouragement 🙂
LEGO Group commits to using only FSC certified paper
From 2015 the LEGO Group will use only paper from forests which have been managed under sustainable principles – forests in which animals, plants and people enjoy good conditions.
FSC is an international organisation which guarantees that paper comes from forests where no more logging is carried on than the forest can manage to replenish. At the same time FSC certification guarantees that animal and plant life in the forests are protected, and that the people who work in the forest receive training, safety equipment and a decent wage.
The LEGO Group will introduce its first supplies of FSC‑certified paper in 2012 with more and more of the 85,000 tons of paper it uses every year being replaced by FSC material. The target will apply to all printed material, packaging, etc. – including boxes, building instructions, brochures and in‑store materials. At the same time, the LEGO Group will impose the same requirement to use FSC‑certified paper on its licensed partners.
“FSC is the most widely recognised initiative in the battle against deforestation. One of the founders of FSC is Greenpeace – and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) recommends FSC. Even critics of FSC acknowledge that FSC is the best certification option,” says Jes Faltum, director, LEGO Sustainability Development.
About FSC
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) is an international, non‑governmental, not‑for‑profit certification scheme for timber and paper. FSC neither manufactures nor sells products. The certification scheme guarantees that no more trees will be felled than the forest can manage to replenish. Animals and plant life are protected, and forestry employees receive training, safety equipment and a living wage.
You can read more about the FSC (www.fsc.org) and Lego’s sustainability report.
Bricks For Good is a philanthropic project set up by Kevin Conroy in Maryland, USA as part of the Global Giving Organisation.
“Make a donation to get a custom, limited edition brick set to build a well, school, or tree using LEGO® elements.