Academic analysis of Lego’s abandoned recycled plastic initiative reveals supply chain sustainability complexities. Despite $1.4 billion climate investment, converting plastic bottles to durable bricks would increase emissions. Explores scope 3 emissions (98% of Lego’s footprint), new EU and California disclosure requirements, and challenges of whole-system sustainability thinking versus single-material solutions.
This resource helps students understand ESG complexity and supply chain sustainability challenges. Students gain competencies in life-cycle assessment thinking, scope 3 emissions analysis, and corporate sustainability trade-offs. They learn to evaluate environmental claims and greenwashing risks through systems thinking approaches. The case works well in courses on corporate sustainability, supply chain management, or environmental assessment.
Introduce when covering ESG disclosure requirements or sustainability measurement. Use for critical analysis of corporate environmental claims and policy impact evaluation. Particularly valuable before examining circular economy challenges or sustainability reporting standards.
Faculty should emphasize the importance of whole-system thinking and encourage students to critically evaluate corporate sustainability initiatives using life-cycle assessment principles.
Assign students specific analytical roles before presenting the case. Use structured questioning protocols to guide examination of stakeholder perspectives, decision points, and systemic factors. Have students work in small groups to develop competing recommendations, then debate solutions using evidence from the case. Conclude with reflection on reasoning processes and assumptions that influenced their analysis.
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