LEGO to recycle used bricks to support learning in schools

LEGO has announced it is piloting its brick take-back service — LEGO Replay — in the UK, with the company inviting fans to join them in testing how to stop LEGO bricks from becoming waste. 

LEGO bricks shouldn’t become waste. Indeed, if you have some unused LEGO bricks lying around (just don’t step on them, of course) and want to do away with them, why not hand them down to family and friends? Or donate them to schools or charities? Do some good, you know? Everyone must have the opportunity to expand their imaginations through LEGO. 

This is a sentiment shared by LEGO. LEGO is now inviting LEGO fans across the United Kingdom to join them to bring playful learning to more children and stop LEGO bricks from becoming waste. 

LEGO aims to do this with LEGO Replay, a program with which LEGO provides an easy option for those who don’t know what to do with their unused LEGO bricks. What to do? Well, as mentioned, hand them down or donate them to continue inspiring children to play and hone their creativity. 

LEGO opens new recycling program

This new-to-the-UK pilot program was designed to test new uses for the LEGO bricks donated by families and LEGO fans in the UK. However, it’s much more than just donating unused LEGO bricks. Indeed, during the exploratory phase of this campaign, returned, used bricks will be recycled into brand-new items, such as storage boxes for toys, that support learning in schools. 

For this program, LEGO is collaborating with charity partners, such as In Kind Direct. According to LEGO, they will fill every new box with LEGO bricks before they are distributed to schools and community centers around the UK to help inspire play and creativity.

Tim Brooks, VP of Environmental Sustainability:

“We’re really proud that so many of our fans in the UK already pass the joy of LEGO play to others. Our bricks are designed to be durable and safe enough to be handed down from generation to generation to inspire endless play and creativity for many years. 

“Piloting LEGO Replay in the UK is an important step on our journey to becoming more circular. We want to re-home, repurpose, or recycle every LEGO brick to keep them in play for longer.

“We hope LEGO Replay will help even more people donate their LEGO bricks with ease, and feel proud they are supporting playful learning for children across the country.”

So, how do you get involved? Well, it’s quite simple, really. All you have to do is pack up any unused LEGO bricks in any box, print out a Freepost label from their website, and ship it from any DPD Drop Shot across England, Scotland, or Wales. This service will soon be available in Ireland.