Blindingly Obvious Danger Award

Named in Consumers International's International Bad Product Awards 2008. Lego and Kellogg's came up with the idea of tapping into kids' love of Lego by releasing edible candy bricks made to look just like the real thing. It would seem they didn't realise that toddlers may mistake real Lego for their 'Fun Snacks'. It was discontinued soon afterwards (2008).

Source: Consumers International (2008)

Sponsorship deal with Shell

In July 2014 Greenpeace launched a campaign calling on Lego to end its sponsorship deal with Shell. Lego has sold 16 million Shell-branded toys at petrol stations in 26 countries in a deal worth $US116 million. A Greenpeace spokesman says "Shell is trying to hijack the magic of Lego ... It is using Lego to clean up its image and divert attention from its dangerous plans to raid the pristine Arctic for oil. And it's exploiting kids' love of their toys to build lifelong loyalty it doesn't deserve. It's time for Lego to finally pull the plug on this deal."

Source: Greenpeace (2014)

Cancelled contract with APP

In July 2011, Lego announced that they intend to not buy packaging from companies involved in deforestation, including Indonesian company Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), a group which Greenpeace claims is involved in widespread forest clearance in the region. In addition to this commitment, Lego outlined a three-step plan to reduce the impact of its packaging on forests: 1. Reduce total packaging 2. Maximize the use of recycled content 3. Ensure any remaining virgin fiber comes from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) sources

Source: Greenpeace (2011)

Climate action commitments

As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: adopt a science-based emissions reduction target; commit to 100% renewable power.

Source: We Mean Business (2021)

Mum-friendly employer

This company was named in the top 10 of Seramount's 100 Best Companies 2022 for being a mum-friendly employer. Listed companies provide inclusive benefits for families, including paid gender-neutral parental leave, phase-back programs, bereavement leave after miscarriage, reimbursement for fertility expenses, and increased mental health benefits for employees.

Source: Seramount (2022)

Lego Foundation

The LEGO Foundation mission is to mobilize the world around the link between play and learning. "To solve our greatest challenges and to discover new possibilities we must inspire the world to recognize, appreciate and take action to support the transformative role of play."

Source: company website (2013)

UN Global Compact participant

The United Nations Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of 10 values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment, and anti-corruption. However it's non-binding nature has been widely criticised, and many signatory corporations continue to violate the Compact's values.

Source: UN Global Compact (2020)

How2Recycle member

This company is a member of How2Recycle. The How2Recycle Label is a voluntary, standardized labeling system that clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. It involves a coalition of forward thinking brands who want their packaging to be recycled and are empowering consumers through smart packaging labels. Companies must be a member of the program to use the How2Recycle Label.

Source: How2Recycle (2023)

CDP Forests score of C

In 2023, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts towards removing commodity-driven deforestation and forest degradation from its direct operations and supply chains. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Forests score of C.

Source: CDP (2023)

ICTI Ethical Toy Program member

This company is a member of the ICTI Ethical Toy Program, the global standard for ethical toy manufacture. The Ethical Toy Program focuses on social sustainability issues which impact well-being of workers involved in toy manufacture globally. However human rights groups including SOMO and China Labor Watch have criticised the Program, with investigators finding serious labour rights violations occurring in ICTI-certified factories.

Source: ICTI Ethical Toy Program (2020)

Modern Slavery statement

California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.

Source: company website (2018)

Renewable energy

This company is investing in renewable energy to support the LEGO Group's goal to generate enough renewable energy capacity to meet 100% of its energy needs by 2020. They have entered a joint venture to construct wind turbines off the German coast.

Source: company website (2013)