It’s complicated…
The sheer amount of time and effort required to produce the right paper-based packaging for LEGO is remarkable.
As LEGO explains: “Packing LEGO bricks into paper-based bags might sound simple but the reality is more complex.
“We tested around 180 different paper types and formats to find the right solution.
“We had to find a bag that would not compromise the high standards LEGO fans expect from us. It had to withstand the manufacturing process and not tear or damage on the way from the LEGO factory to LEGO builders.”
It adds: “Paper is more sensitive than plastic to changes in humidity, so it was important to find a material that can be made and used in all our factories, whether in a hot, humid climate or a colder one.”
LEGO also tested 15 different prototypes, with hundreds of children and parents trying various shapes, materials and graphic designs.”
The move to paper-based bags is likely to have an intended consequence – making the kits even more fun.
“Paper has the unintended benefit of being more enjoyable to unwrap, because while clear, single-use plastic bags allow builders to see the contents, we discovered in testing that children enjoyed the suspense of opening the paper-based bags.”
Our larger paper-based bags come in a shape that enables them to stand, which is particularly useful for storing loose bricks during the building process.
First appeared on sustainabilitymag.com