LEGO To Build Its First Carbon-Neutral Factory In Vietnam
Recently, LEGO announced plans to start work on its first carbon-neutral factory in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.
The US$1 billion plant, which will be the company’s largest yet, intends to achieve carbon neutrality by using rooftop solar panels and supplementary panels through the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) to power all of its energy needs. In addition, the factory will be built according to the LEED Gold standards for energy consumption, water, and waste.
According to Inhabitat, within the plant, LEGO will install energy-efficient production equipment and operate eco-friendly electric vehicles. Plus, the firm will commission 50,000 trees to be planted in the country to compensate for the vegetation destroyed during construction.
Although some may question the brand’s decision to build another factory that ruins wildlife and plants, LEGO has said that by creating a local plant in the region, it will be able to reduce its global carbon footprint with shorter shipping times.
“We are very grateful for the support of the Vietnamese government in helping us achieve our ambition to build our first carbon-neutral factory,” said LEGO COO Carsten Rasmussen.
“Their plans to invest in expanding renewable energy production infrastructure and a collaborative approach to working with foreign companies who are seeking to make high-quality investments, were among the factors in our decision to build here.”
When the plant opens, it will have the potential to create 4,000 new jobs over a span of 15 years.
Construction on the site is slated to begin in the second half of 2022.
