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Quite possibly. The Tokio Express[0] Lego spill[1] has provided some data on ocean currents. There was also a spill of yellow bath ducks that turn up on beache

Quite possibly. The Tokio Express[0] Lego spill[1] has provided some data on ocean currents. There was also a spill of yellow bath ducks that turn up on beaches around the world. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokio_Express#Accident https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokio_Express#Accident [1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28582621 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-28582621 Yaarr!!

selectodude 9y ago
The thing that sticks out to me is that they expect lego pieces to hit washington state 23 years after the spill without biodegrading. I hope we're able to fix that someday.
- dragonwriter 9y ago
  That Lego are durable and don't rot is, I would say, a feature not a bug. (It would be better if they were practically recyclable, OTOH.)
  - mc32 9y ago
    I consider that a pro. Instead of buying new sets, the toys get down-cycled to younger children or gifted to some other kids. It's better than toys which because they don't last, they get bought at a higher velocity, thus producing waste. Of interest, Lego will begin MFG 1-2% of their toys [apropos mostly "vegetation"] from plant-based plastics[1]. Possibly resulting in higher prices for sugar--which may also be a good thing. [1]https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2018/march/lego-producing-plant-based-plastic-toys/ https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2018/march/lego-...
  - adrianN 9y ago
    Lego are made from ABS, and ABS can be recycled.
    - dragonwriter 9y ago
      ABS can be recycled, but normal municipal recycling (which has to take and sort multiple recyclables mechanically) can't practically sort ABS pieces the size of Lego bricks for proper recycling, which results in them ending up in landfills from municipal recycling. If you set up dedicated collection infrastructure for Lego bricks and delivered them in huge lots (or merged them with another waste ABS stream) for delivery to an ABS recycler you could recycle them, but the logistics and economics don't seem likely to be workable for that.
- chrisper 9y ago
  https://newatlas.com/lego-plant-plastics/53656/ https://newatlas.com/lego-plant-plastics/53656/
stephengillie 9y ago
Map of the yellow ducks: https://i.imgur.com/CrJbTo9.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CrJbTo9.jpg

selectodude 9y ago

The thing that sticks out to me is that they expect lego pieces to hit washington state 23 years after the spill without biodegrading. I hope we're able to fix that someday.

dragonwriter 9y ago
That Lego are durable and don't rot is, I would say, a feature not a bug. (It would be better if they were practically recyclable, OTOH.)
- mc32 9y ago
  I consider that a pro. Instead of buying new sets, the toys get down-cycled to younger children or gifted to some other kids. It's better than toys which because they don't last, they get bought at a higher velocity, thus producing waste. Of interest, Lego will begin MFG 1-2% of their toys [apropos mostly "vegetation"] from plant-based plastics[1]. Possibly resulting in higher prices for sugar--which may also be a good thing. [1]https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2018/march/lego-producing-plant-based-plastic-toys/ https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2018/march/lego-...
- adrianN 9y ago
  Lego are made from ABS, and ABS can be recycled.
  - dragonwriter 9y ago
    ABS can be recycled, but normal municipal recycling (which has to take and sort multiple recyclables mechanically) can't practically sort ABS pieces the size of Lego bricks for proper recycling, which results in them ending up in landfills from municipal recycling. If you set up dedicated collection infrastructure for Lego bricks and delivered them in huge lots (or merged them with another waste ABS stream) for delivery to an ABS recycler you could recycle them, but the logistics and economics don't seem likely to be workable for that.
chrisper 9y ago
https://newatlas.com/lego-plant-plastics/53656/ https://newatlas.com/lego-plant-plastics/53656/

stephengillie 9y ago

Map of the yellow ducks: https://i.imgur.com/CrJbTo9.jpg https://i.imgur.com/CrJbTo9.jpg