The LEGO Group is channeling up to US$400 million over three years into accelerating its sustainability and social responsibility efforts.

As part of a push to make packaging sustainable by 2025, LEGO will phase out single-use plastic bags from its boxes. Starting next year, the company is planning to trial Forest Stewardship Council-certified recyclable paper bags (pictured) rather than individual plastic packaging.

LEGO plans on investing some of the $400 million into creating more sustainable products, with the goal of achieving zero-waste and carbon-neutral operations.

The company plans to divert any waste away from landfills by 2025, as well as lowering drop water use by 10% by 2022.

The new funds will cover both long-term and ongoing costs. In a statement, CEO Niels Christiansen said LEGO “cannot lose sight of the fundamental challenges facing future generations. It’s critical we take urgent action now to care for the planet and future generations.”

Since LEGO’s products have remained largely unchanged (bricks made today fit those made more than 40 years ago, according to LEGO), the company is putting new programs in place to encourage people to donate their used bricks to children in need. The LEGO Replay initiative was piloted in the US in 2019, and will be rolled out in two additional unnamed countries by the end of 2022.