<p>According to <a href="http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/1274/recycling-lego-plastic-bags-5" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this bricksetforum thread</a> (and also true of the LEGO sets we have around right now) the LEGO bags are <a href="http://www.babygreenthumb.com/p-122-safe-plastic-numbers-guide.aspx" rel="nofollow noreferrer">#5 plastic</a> which is accepted by <a href="http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Whole Foods</a> and some municipal recycling services.</p>
<p><a href="https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/452/is-there-a-logic-to-the-way-the-lego-group-fills-the-plastic-bags">This thread</a>
has interesting commentary on bag packing considerations.  Not surprisingly LEGO Group is optimizing for efficiency and dependability.  The bags and their weight also affect the QA process which includes weighing the bags.</p>
<h2>2021 update - the future is getting here</h2>
<p>LEGO is <a href="https://www.greenmatters.com/p/legor-plastic-bags-paper" rel="nofollow noreferrer">reportedly moving to paper bags</a>.  This is a double win of going with a renewable resource and wider recycling availability.  LEGO themselves have a page on their <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/sustainable-packaging/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">sustainable packaging</a> that says:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We will begin to test paper bags in our boxes which means goodbye single use plastic and hello recycling bin! First, we will trial recyclable paper bags that are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. They will be designed to help children understand the importance of recycling and ensure they have the best possible play experience. Our new bags will be phased in over a four-year period from 2021.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2015-10-24T01:14:50.067Z
2021-04-16T18:13:03.130Z
2021-04-16T18:13:03.130Z
chicks
<p>No, the bags are actually not recyclable, and the bags aren't filled entirely because TLG wants the bags to be more flexible and loose,so they fit easily in the bags!</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-11-03T01:16:28.957Z
2015-11-03T01:16:28.957Z
Samuel L.
<p>Are the plastic bags inside the LEGO box recyclable?</p>

<p>Also, why aren't the plastic bags inside the box not completely filled? If The LEGO Group didn't want it completely filled then why not decrease the bag size?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-09-28T01:40:41.577Z
In 2020, LEGO is working on moving to paper bags to replace the single-use plastic.  https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/sustainable-packaging/
chicks
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-22T21:46:22.370Z
Welcome to Stack Exchange! The people answering questions here are mere fans of LEGO, not actual LEGO employees - you'd do better asking your question via [the official LEGO support site](https://wwwsecure.us.lego.com/en-us/service). Good luck with your FLL challenge!
Phil B.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-22T23:10:36.640Z
I would say that they do this so that the bags don't pop open. This would be the most logical answer
llegobego
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-10-26T15:38:32.473Z
Generally the question in the title and the question in the body should match. It makes it much easier to find answers when searching. This would be better asked as two questions.
VolleyJosh
<packaging>
Are the plastic bags inside the LEGO box recyclable?
Fll Team 59
# Are the plastic bags inside the LEGO box recyclable?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-10-22)

Are the plastic bags inside the LEGO box recyclable?

Also, why aren't the plastic bags inside the box not completely filled? If The LEGO Group didn't want it completely filled then why not decrease the bag size?

**Tags:** packaging

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Welcome to Stack Exchange! The people answering questions here are mere fans of LEGO, not actual LEGO employees - you'd do better asking your question via [the official LEGO support site](https://wwwsecure.us.lego.com/en-us/service). Good luck with your FLL challenge!  
> **username_3**: I would say that they do this so that the bags don't pop open. This would be the most logical answer  
> **username_4**: Generally the question in the title and the question in the body should match. It makes it much easier to find answers when searching. This would be better asked as two questions.  
> **username_1**: In 2020, LEGO is working on moving to paper bags to replace the single-use plastic.  https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/sustainable-packaging/  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2015-10-24. Score: 11

According to [this bricksetforum thread](http://www.bricksetforum.com/discussion/1274/recycling-lego-plastic-bags-5) (and also true of the LEGO sets we have around right now) the LEGO bags are [#5 plastic](http://www.babygreenthumb.com/p-122-safe-plastic-numbers-guide.aspx) which is accepted by [Whole Foods](http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/list) and some municipal recycling services.

[This thread](https://bricks.stackexchange.com/questions/452/is-there-a-logic-to-the-way-the-lego-group-fills-the-plastic-bags)
has interesting commentary on bag packing considerations. Not surprisingly LEGO Group is optimizing for efficiency and dependability. The bags and their weight also affect the QA process which includes weighing the bags.

## 2021 update - the future is getting here

LEGO is [reportedly moving to paper bags](https://www.greenmatters.com/p/legor-plastic-bags-paper). This is a double win of going with a renewable resource and wider recycling availability. LEGO themselves have a page on their [sustainable packaging](https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/sustainable-packaging/) that says:

> We will begin to test paper bags in our boxes which means goodbye single use plastic and hello recycling bin! First, we will trial recyclable paper bags that are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified paper. They will be designed to help children understand the importance of recycling and ensure they have the best possible play experience. Our new bags will be phased in over a four-year period from 2021.


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### Answer by username_5 on 2015-11-03. Score: 2

No, the bags are actually not recyclable, and the bags aren't filled entirely because TLG wants the bags to be more flexible and loose,so they fit easily in the bags!


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