甘蔗積木：樂高擬用環保材料替代傳統塑料

Lego recently announced that they will start producing pieces from sustainable 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.
最近，樂高宣佈他們將開始以甘蔗爲可持續原料生產玩具。這些玩具將以植物元素（如葉子、灌木、樹木）爲特色，它們和經典樂高積木沒什麼差別。目前，樂高積木由石油基塑料製成。

“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.”
樂高集團環保責任部副總裁蒂姆·布魯克斯表示：“我們希望積極影響周圍世界，目前正致力於使用可持續材料，爲兒童製造優質玩具。我們承諾將使用可持續材料製造所有樂高積木，這是我們邁出的第一大步。”

The new line of production has reportedly already started with pieces being produced from 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.
據報告，新產品線已經開始採用由聚乙烯製成的部件——它們和由傳統塑料製成的部件一模一樣。聚乙烯是一種柔軟、耐久、靈活的塑料。樂高稱，人們無需擔憂新產品的質量問題。他們檢測過植物基塑料，以確保它在質量和安全方面符合消費者所期待的高標準。

“LEGO products have always been about providing high quality play experiences giving every child the chance to shape their own world through inventive play. Children and parents will not notice any difference in the quality or appearance of the new elements, because plant-based polyethylene has the same properties as conventional polyethylene,” said Tim Brooks.
布魯克斯說：“樂高產品向來以提供高質量遊戲體驗爲重點，使每個孩子都有機會通過創造性遊戲塑造自己的世界。兒童和家長將不會注意到新材料存在質量或外觀上的差異，因爲植物基聚乙烯和傳統聚乙烯具有相同的特性。”

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 $165 million. According to a research report, 4% of the world’s petroleum is used as a raw material to make plastic, and another 4% 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. With this in mind, 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.
樂高計劃在2030年實現採用可持續材料製造核心產品及產品包裝，爲此已投入1.65億美元（合10.4億元人民幣）。根據一份研究報告：全球4%的石油被用作塑料原材料，另外4%用於塑料生產過程。由於塑料無處不在，且在環保方面臭名昭著，所以設法取代塑料非常重要。爲此，樂高和世界自然基金會合作，又加入生物塑料原料聯盟，後者爲開發由植物材料製成的環保塑料提供資金。

“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, and their work with the Bioplastic Feedstock Alliance will allow them to connect with other companies to continue to think creatively about sustainability.”
世界自然基金會的高級項目專員阿利克斯·格拉博夫斯基表示：“各個產業的企業都應該設法採購環保產品材料，幫助人類、自然和經濟在未來蓬勃發展，這點非常重要。樂高集團決定採用可持續生物基塑料，這是減少依賴有限資源的絕佳機會。和生物塑料原料聯盟的合作將使他們和其它企業建立聯繫，繼續創造性地思考可持續發展的問題。”