Danish company the Lego Group has established itself as one of The Optimist Daily’s favorite toymakers for its many efforts and initiatives that make this world a more inclusive, accessible, greener, and all-around better place.
Now, we’re happy to report that Lego is up to more sustainability-driven projects here in the US. The company has announced its plans to build a one billion dollar factory in Chesterfield County, Virginia. The factory will be equipped with a solar facility designed to help the company reach its goal for its first US factory in over 16 years to be entirely carbon neutral.
The first-ever US factory was once located in Connecticut, but it was shut down in 2006 as the company decided to move its operations to Mexico.
The inclusion of a solar park is certainly impressive, however, solar energy will not be the sole source of energy for the factory’s operations. In fact, the factory will still be run in part by fossil fuels, but the plan is to minimize energy needs so that Lego can match the output of clean energy provided by the solar park.
“The location in Virginia allows us to build a solar park which supports our sustainability ambitions and provides easy links to country-wide transportation networks,” explains Niels B. Christiansen, the CEO of the Lego Group. “We are also looking forward to creating fantastic employment opportunities for the people of Virginia.”
The factory is expected to open in 2025 and will create 1,760 jobs for the people living in Virginia. The company decided to set up shop in Virginia (and earlier in Mexico) to reduce travel emissions for the Lego products.
“Our factories are located close to our biggest markets which shortens the distance our products have to travel,” says company COO Carsten Rasmussen. “This allows us to rapidly respond to changing consumer demand and helps manage our carbon footprint.”
