Are LEGO Bricks Recyclable? 7 Things You Should Know!

Do you have old or worn-out LEGO bricks that are no longer suitable to play with, and are unsure what to do with them?

Maybe you’re thinking of recycling them, but don’t know if LEGO bricks are recyclable.

So, are LEGO bricks recyclable?

According to LEGO, yes — you can recycle your LEGO bricks with the rest of the plastics in your household if they’re worn out and no longer usable. However, LEGO also encourages people to donate used bricks instead of throwing them away.

In fact, LEGO has a recycling program called LEGO Replay that helps reuse and donate old LEGO bricks to kids in need.

Now that you know LEGO bricks are recyclable, here’s how to recycle them properly and what else you need to know.

a lego minifigure recycling lego bricks

How Do You Dispose of Old LEGO Bricks?

1. Sell

You can sell your used LEGO bricks on marketplaces like BrickLink, eBay, or BrickOwl. Their value will depend on quality and demand.

2. Gift or Donate

You can give them to friends, family, or donate them to a local school, charity shop, or nursery.

You can also donate through the LEGO Replay program — they’ll clean and sort the bricks, then send them to organizations like Teach for America or Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston.

How to Recycle LEGO Bricks (LEGO Replay)

To recycle your bricks through LEGO Replay:

  1. Go to the LEGO Replay website.

  2. Print a free shipping label.

  3. Box up your unwanted bricks.

  4. Drop them off at your local post office.

That’s it.

You can also get a free shipping label from a LEGO store or drop the bricks off directly.

Once received, LEGO will clean the bricks and donate them to nonprofits. Bricks that don’t meet quality standards may be ground down to create new pieces or used to generate energy in LEGO facilities.

LEGO also donates excess bricks globally through the LEGO Foundation.

In addition, organizations like Brick Recycler accept old or mismatched bricks and donate them to schools, charities, and hospitals.

Are LEGO Boxes Recyclable?

Yes, LEGO boxes are recyclable. LEGO says that 75% of the cardboard used comes from recycled materials.

Since 2019, LEGO boxes in the US and Canada have featured the How2Recycle label to help customers recycle packaging correctly.

Are LEGO Bags Recyclable?

Yes, LEGO bags are recyclable, but not in every curbside program. You can recycle them through services like Trex Recycling, Whole Foods, or designated plastic film drop-off points.

LEGO is also transitioning to paper bags that can go directly into household recycling bins.

Can You Put LEGO in the Recycling Bin?

Only if your local recycling service accepts hard plastics like LEGO. Otherwise, it’s better to donate or send them through LEGO Replay.

Can LEGO Packaging Be Recycled?

Yes. LEGO’s paper and cardboard packaging materials are recyclable and mostly made from recycled content.

Are LEGO Instructions Recyclable

Yes. LEGO instructions are printed on glossy, recyclable paper. However, consider keeping them in case you want to rebuild or sell your LEGO set later.

Final Thoughts 

There are several responsible ways to recycle or repurpose your LEGO bricks:

  • Sell, gift, or donate them

  • Use the LEGO Replay program

  • Recycle them with household plastics (if permitted)

LEGO packaging, instruction manuals, and bags are also recyclable, and the company is making active changes to eliminate single-use plastics and support sustainability.