LEGO Bricks Could Survive in Ocean for as Many as 1,300 Years

A team of researchers from the University of Plymouth, Rame Peninsula Beach Care and the Lego Lost at Sea Project examined the extent to which classic LEGO bricks, constructed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, were worn down in the marine environment. By measuring the mass of individual bricks found on beaches against equivalent unused pieces and the age of blocks obtained from storage, the scientists estimated that the items could endure for anywhere between 100 and 1,300 years.

Turner et al estimated a LEGO brick could survive in the ocean for as many as 1,300 years. Image credit: Turner et al, doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114299.

Over the past decade, voluntary organizations in the UK have retrieved thousands of pieces and other plastic waste during regular beach cleans.

Previous studies have indicated that many of these could have either been lost during beach visits or entered the environment via the household waste process.

For the new study, 50 pieces of weathered LEGO collected from beaches were washed and then weighed in a lab, with the size of the studs also being measured.

The chemical characteristics of each block were then determined using an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, with the results used to confirm the age of individual pieces based on the presence of certain elements no longer in use.

By pairing those items with unweathered sets purchased in the 1970s and 80s, the study authors were able to identify levels of wear and, as a result, how long the pieces might continue to endure in the marine environment.

“LEGO is one of the most popular children’s toys in history and part of its appeal has always been its durability,” said Dr. Andrew Turner, a researcher in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth.

“It is specifically designed to be played with and handled, so it may not be especially surprising that despite potentially being in the sea for decades it isn’t significantly worn down.”

“However, the full extent of its durability was even a surprise to us.”

“The pieces we tested had smoothed and discolored, with some of the structures having fractured and fragmented, suggesting that as well as pieces remaining intact they might also break down into microplastics.”

“It once again emphasizes the importance of people disposing of used items properly to ensure they do not pose potential problems for the environment.”

The study was published in the journal Environmental Pollution.

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Andrew Turner et al. 2020. Weathering and persistence of plastic in the marine environment: Lessons from LEGO. Environmental Pollution 262: 114299; doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114299