LEGO finally unveils the definitive version of the paper bags that will gradually replace their plastic counterparts. For the occasion, the manufacturer allowed me to obtain a copy of the "new version" of the LEGO Creator set 31111 Cyber ​​Drone (9.99 €) which contains two of these new bags and I was therefore able to discover a little more closely these sub-packaging which are a priori recyclable and more respectful of the environment even if these bags are not made of recycled paper.

These new pouches are sealed and not simply glued, so it is obvious that they contain plastic. After opening, we see that this is indeed the case with a completely coated interior which reinforces the structure of the bag and avoids any tears linked to the floating of the parts. They are also rather thin and we guess their content by transparency. A new reference specific to each sachet is also appearing.

The band to be removed to open these bags is pre-cut, the opening is therefore a little less destructive than that of the current bags, except to use a pair of scissors, and we can consider these new packaging as reusable to store the elements after dismantling. .

The interior of these new bags being coated with plastic, they can therefore be easily sealed using a machine, as was already the case with those currently available. These new sachets will not be immediately available in the entire inventory of the manufacturer, the transition will be spread out at least until 2025 with the progressive installation of the adapted production equipment in all the manufacturing units distributed across the world.

There are still a lot of plastic bags in LEGO products and not a lot of paper bags, even though the manufacturer promises us since 2021 a test phase which should in principle gradually lead to the replacement of the bags as we know them by a paper version.

If several copies of these new bags were present in the set offered to LEGO Group employees at the beginning of the year (4002021 The (Ninjago) Temple of Celebrations), the generalization of this initiative is still awaited. To keep us on the alert on the subject, LEGO is now adding a mini flyer in several of the June novelties and the document that I scanned for you, explains to us in several languages ​​that it is possible that we find a mixture of the two types of bags. in some of the boxes to come.

On my side, there is for the moment only plastic. If you come across a paper bag, do not hesitate to indicate it in the comments, then we will have confirmation that the transition is definitely well underway.

Lego announced a few weeks ago want to replace by 2025 the plastic bags containing the parts in the LEGO sets with recyclable paper versions from responsibly managed forests. Starting next year, a test phase will gradually launch this replacement process with new sachets that have already been tested with hundreds of children and parents.

The manufacturer had provided some "official" visuals of these test sessions with children but we discover today via eBay sale several of the prototypes used during these sessions with different patterns printed on the opaque bag. On one of these prototypes, there is even a complete visual of the set concerned.

Nothing says that the final version of these sachets will be one of the different variants presented here, but these visuals give us a little more precise idea of ​​what we will find in the few sets selected for the "life-size" test phase. which will begin in 2021. These new bags will not be present in all the sets of all the ranges, only a few products and a few geographical areas have been selected, so do not expect to easily find a set containing these new paper packaging from January next.

This is the announcement of the day: LEGO says it wants to invest the modest sum of $ 400 million over three years to accelerate the process of transition to a manufacturing process and more eco-responsible products.

Among the initiatives presented, we will particularly note the one which aims to permanently remove the internal plastic under-packaging currently present in LEGO sets by replacing them by 2025 with recyclable paper bags from responsibly managed forests. It will then be possible to consider that the entire packaging of a classic LEGO product will be recyclable: we will have plastic wrapped in paper that will be put in cardboard, all accompanied by a paper notice.

From 2021, a test phase will launch this replacement process with new sachets that have already been tested with hundreds of children and parents. It took two years and around fifteen prototypes to obtain the ideal bag, light, easy to open and to recycle. Judging from the visuals below, this new pouch will no longer be transparent.

On the sidelines of this very concrete initiative, LEGO confirms that it is continuing to work on the eco-responsible material which should one day replace ABS plastic in the manufacturing process of bricks and other elements. We often think that in 2015, the brand set itself the objective of achieving convincing results by 2030.

To date, LEGO has already successfully produced a biopolyethylene made from ethanol from the distillation of sugar cane and which is used for around 2% of the items in the catalog. LEGO promises that this "green" polyethylene will be at least as durable, flexible and durable over time as the plastic currently in use, those who purchased the set LEGO Ideas 21318 Treehouse can tell us about it again in a few years, it incorporates 185 plant elements made from this plastic.

This biopolyethylene is (fortunately) not biodegradable but it is recyclable via the same processes as conventional polyethylene. It should also be remembered that the use of sugar cane does not change either the manufacturing process or the mechanical and aesthetic properties of the plastic obtained at the outlet.

LEGO specifies that the investments made to arrive at the replacement of ABS for its entire inventory relate both to the research and testing phase of the miracle material but also to the design and manufacture of the industrial equipment that will be necessary. to its manufacture.

LEGO finally announces that its manufacturing operations will be carbon neutral by 2022 through the use of renewable energies for all production units installed around the world. In terms of recycling production waste, LEGO indicates that 93% of the waste produced is currently recycled, including 100% of plastic residues from production units. By 2025, the manufacturer intends to achieve 100% recycled waste.

Today we are quickly interested in the content of the LEGO ICONS set 10321 Corvette, a box of 1210 pieces which will be available via the official online store and in LEGO Stores from August 1, 2023 at the public price of €149.99. You already know since the official announcement of the product, this involves assembling a reproduction of the 1 C1961 version of the Chevrolet Corvette, with its four rear lights which then replaced the two optics installed on the wings, its overhead valve V8 engine and hardtop.

Might as well mention it right away: all this frankly lacks chrome or, failing that, metallic parts. The reference Chevrolet Corvette gives pride of place to chrome equipment and this LEGO version does not pay homage to it on this point, while the retouched official visuals highlight reflections which are non-existent on the "real" product at the level of the different elements. very light gray.

Once again, this model aimed at an adult collector audience takes some aesthetic shortcuts with much less curvy curves and not-so-curvy curvaceous lines. The wheel arches are also a little strange, it lacks roundness especially when the vehicle is observed in profile. We're starting to get used to LEGO, even if the designer does much better here than when it came to reproducing James Bond's car with the set, for example. 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5.

The solid floor of the vehicle is as often made up of a few plates and other Technic beams, we then attach the various bodywork elements and the interior equipment. It's quickly put together and immediately realizes that the retouched official visuals promised us a shade a little darker than in reality. This Corvette C1 is bright red, yet I would have tried the Dark Red (dark red) just to give it a little more cachet at the risk of having to deal with the usual color differences.

The grille based on sausages, handlebars and gray bananas seems to me much too simplified and here we have to be content with a very symbolic representation of this yet emblematic detail of the vehicle. Same observation for the four front headlights, simply composed of a Tile pad-printed round and a transparent piece, it lacks a bit of volume and it's a bit too flat to really look like the real ones.

The doors are on the other hand well designed, they use two new elements which make it possible to reproduce rather faithfully the white zone, set back by half a tenon on the LEGO model, present on the sides of the reference vehicle. The upholstery is relatively simple but sufficient and well executed, as is the driving position with its counter, pedals and gear lever.

There is obviously a small sheet of stickers in the box, I scanned the thing for you, and everything that is not there is therefore stamped, such as the "chrome strips" which circulate on the bodywork, the contours of the seats or the Corvette logo on the front of the hood. It should be noted that LEGO has progressed when it comes to aligning a pattern printed on different elements, it is not yet perfect but it is for example much better than on the lower body of the Mustang of the set 10265 Ford Mustang. It suffices here to interchange the four plates struck in a straight line until an acceptable alignment is achieved.

The rims are a little dull, here too it lacks shine to perfectly reproduce the contrast between the bodywork and the wheels. The white rims used nevertheless make it possible to obtain the desired vintage effect, but the very light gray of the rims is disappointing.

In terms of functionality, it is necessary to be satisfied here with the openings, doors, front bonnet and trunk, and a direction brought back to the steering wheel. No complex mechanism for the steering but the function has the merit of existing and the engine is also reduced to its simplest expression. The supplied hardtop can be easily installed or removed, it will be up to you to see how you wish to expose the vehicle and the opening of the trunk whose bonnet is flush with the rest of the bodywork is managed by a part placed under the vehicle which serves as push button allowing it to be half-opened so that it can then be grasped with the fingers. It's ingenious.

The two identical windshields are packaged separately in paper bags and that's great news. LEGO is thus freed from the plastic protection applied directly to the parts attempted in the past in a few boxes and these two bags finally make it possible to obtain elements in perfect condition upon unpacking. Well done for that.

This Corvette C1 is probably not the best vehicle in the range at LEGO but it still looks great in my opinion. It will undoubtedly help to highlight the other models displayed on a shelf: a little red will ultimately not hurt in the middle of the black Camaro of the set 10304 Chevy Camaro Z28, the blue of the Mustang from the set 10265 Ford Mustang or even the white of the Porsche of the set 10295 Porsche 911. It will probably quickly be possible to find this Corvette C1 a little cheaper than the price charged by LEGO, so there will be no reason to skip this box.

Note: The product shown here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at July 21, 2023 next at 23:59 p.m. Just post a comment under the article to participate. Your participation is taken into account regardless of your opinion. 

Update : The winner was drawn and notified by email, his nickname is indicated below.