甘蔗積木：樂高擬用環(huán)保材料替代傳統(tǒng)塑料

樂高公司日前宣布將開始用甘蔗為原料來生產(chǎn)積木玩具，這種甘蔗積木不能吃，但是很環(huán)保。而且，用這種植物基塑料做出的樂高積木，和傳統(tǒng)的石油基塑料做出的樂高積木將沒有差別。

Photo by Alphacolor 13 on Unsplash

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，樂高宣布他們將開始以甘蔗為可持續(xù)原料生產(chǎn)玩具。這些玩具將以植物元素(如葉子、灌木、樹木)為特色，它們和經(jīng)典樂高積木沒什么差別。目前，樂高積木由石油基塑料制成。

“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(tuán)環(huán)保責(zé)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，目前正致力于使用可持續(xù)材料，為兒童制造優(yōu)質(zhì)玩具。我們承諾將使用可持續(xù)材料制造所有樂高積木，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(jù)報(bào)告，新產(chǎn)品線已經(jīng)開始采用由聚乙烯制成的部件——它們和由傳統(tǒng)塑料制成的部件一模一樣。聚乙烯是一種柔軟、耐久、靈活的塑料。樂高稱，人們無需擔(dān)憂新產(chǎn)品的質(zhì)量問題。他們檢測過植物基塑料，以確保它在質(zhì)量和安全方面符合消費(fèi)者所期待的高標(biāo)準(zhǔn)。

“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(chǎn)品向來以提供高質(zhì)量游戲體驗(yàn)為重點(diǎn)，使每個(gè)孩子都有機(jī)會(huì)通過創(chuàng)造性游戲塑造自己的世界。兒童和家長將不會(huì)注意到新材料存在質(zhì)量或外觀上的差異，因?yàn)橹参锘垡蚁┖蛡鹘y(tǒng)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(jì)劃在2030年實(shí)現(xiàn)采用可持續(xù)材料制造核心產(chǎn)品及產(chǎn)品包裝，為此已投入1.65億美元(合10.4億元人民幣)。根據(jù)一份研究報(bào)告：全球4%的石油被用作塑料原材料，另外4%用于塑料生產(chǎn)過程。由于塑料無處不在，且在環(huán)保方面臭名昭著，所以設(shè)法取代塑料非常重要。為此，樂高和世界自然基金會(huì)合作，又加入生物塑料原料聯(lián)盟，后者為開發(fā)由植物材料制成的環(huán)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(huì)的高級(jí)項(xiàng)目專員阿利克斯·格拉博夫斯基表示：“各個(gè)產(chǎn)業(yè)的企業(yè)都應(yīng)該設(shè)法采購環(huán)保產(chǎn)品材料，幫助人類、自然和經(jīng)濟(jì)在未來蓬勃發(fā)展，這點(diǎn)非常重要。樂高集團(tuán)決定采用可持續(xù)生物基塑料，這是減少依賴有限資源的絕佳機(jī)會(huì)。和生物塑料原料聯(lián)盟的合作將使他們和其它企業(yè)建立聯(lián)系，繼續(xù)創(chuàng)造性地思考可持續(xù)發(fā)展的問題。”

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