Toy brand Lego has created its first prototype bricks using recycled PET plastic from discarded bottles.
Created as part of the Danish company's drive to make all of its products from sustainable materials by 2030, the brick prototypes were created from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET), a common thermoplastic used for products such as bottles and clothing.
Above: Lego has developed prototype bricks made from recycled plastic bottles. Top: a one-litre plastic bottle provides enough material for around 10 bricks
The prototype, which has been developed over the past three years, was made from used plastic bottles acquired from suppliers in the United States.
A one-litre plastic bottle supplies enough raw material for around 10 2x4 Lego bricks. Lego has tested hundreds of different plastic variations
Lego trialled over 250 formulations of the recycled plastic to create a brick that complies with the company's quality, safety and play requirements.
Its "clutch power" ? the ability to snap onto other pieces of Lego ? means that it is compatible with Lego's standard bricks.
The recycled plastic bricks are now undergoing testing
Lego now plans to rigorously test and develop the prototype brick before assessing whether to move the rPET into production.
Tests will determine whether the patent-pending material formulation is strong and durable enough for Lego bricks.
"We need to work on how we colour the material consistently and look into the different shape...