Children all over the world love LEGO® bricks, but what happens when those children outgrow their brick-building days? What happens to the hundreds of loose bricks that are just taking up space in your home?
Today, it’s drilled into us to reuse and recycle wherever we can, so it feels wrong to throw away something that’s perfectly usable. If the time has come to part with your old LEGO® bricks, you’re probably wondering how best to shift them. Can LEGO® be recycled and, if so, how do you recycle LEGO® bricks?
Well, unfortunately, LEGO® bricks generally can’t go in your household recycling bin. Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away and turning them into new products. While the plastics LEGO® bricks are made from can technically be recycled, most kerbside collections aren’t set up to take hard plastic toys, so if you put your bricks in the recycling, they’re likely to end up in landfill.
But don’t give up hope just yet! There are other ways to keep your LEGO® pieces out of landfill, and if your bricks are still in good condition, these options are even better for the environment than recycling.
LEGO® bricks are famous for being sturdy and durable. While these are great qualities for a toy to have, they’re not so great when it comes to recycling. So, are LEGO® bricks recyclable? Technically, yes, just not through your household recycling.
LEGO® pieces are made from a range of different plastics, each chosen for the job that piece has to do. Classic LEGO® bricks are made from ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), which gives them their strength, while other pieces, like baseplates, hinges and tyres, are made from different materials. Mixed plastics like these need to be sorted and processed separately, which is why most household recycling collections don’t accept them.
The LEGO Group is gradually increasing the amount of recycled and renewable material it uses to make its bricks. In 2025, 52% of the materials it bought to make LEGO® bricks and elements came from recycled and renewable sources. Most of this comes through a “mass balance” approach, where suppliers mix certified renewable sources, such as plant oils, with fossil-based materials.
Some pieces already contain recycled or renewable materials directly. For example, more than 900 transparent pieces contain 20% recycled waste from artificial marble kitchen worktops, and over 200 flexible pieces, like plants and flowers, are made with 89% renewable material from Brazilian sugarcane. You can read more on the LEGO® sustainable materials page.
But the bricks already in our homes still can’t go in the recycling bin, so we’re tasked with finding other ways to give our unwanted LEGO® bricks a second purpose and avoid waste.
It’s worth knowing the difference. Unlike recycling, reuse doesn’t break anything down. It keeps your bricks exactly as they are and gives them a new home.
LEGO® bricks are built to last for generations, so if yours are still in good condition, reusing them is the better option. Selling, donating or passing them on keeps them in circulation, so they’ll be played with for years to come.
Selling old LEGO® bricks is a great way to keep them in circulation and extend their life. Not only will you be giving your bricks a new home, but you’ll get paid for it too!
The best place to sell unwanted LEGO® bricks online is WeBuyBricks. We aim to give people a sustainable, completely hassle-free solution when they’re decluttering LEGO® bricks. You can sell complete LEGO® sets, sell loose LEGO® bricks by weight, or add both to the same basket, so there’s no need to organise your collection before you sell it. Whether you have complete sets or a jumbled-up bag of bricks, we’ll take them off your hands in exchange for cash.
Search for your LEGO® sets by name or set number. For loose bricks, pop them in a plastic bag and weigh them. You might have to do this in a couple of smaller bags to fit them on your kitchen scales. Then head over to our website, tell us the main theme if you can spot one, and enter the weight.
You’ll get an instant valuation for your LEGO®. Simply accept and check out to continue.
Package up your LEGO® following our packaging guidelines, use the free postage label that we provide and take it to your local drop-off point, or arrange a FREE home collection.
Choose either bank transfer or PayPal. Once we’ve checked your items, the money will often land in your account the very next day!
If you’re not looking to make a profit from your old bricks, then donating them is a good option.
There are a ton of charity shops around that will take your LEGO® bricks off your hands. If you already have a charity in mind, this is the perfect opportunity to support them. If not, a quick Google search should help you find local charities that accept LEGO® sets and pieces. Wherever you choose, donating to charity is a great way to help a good cause.
LEGO® Replay is the LEGO Group’s own free donation scheme for unwanted bricks in the UK. Simply pack your bricks in any box, print a free label from the LEGO® Replay website and drop it off at a DPD drop-off point in England, Scotland or Wales. There’s also a collection service in Northern Ireland, and there’s no need to clean your bricks first.
Your bricks are sorted, cleaned and turned into new items, like storage boxes, which are filled with LEGO® bricks and given to schools and charities across the UK. Replay accepts LEGO® System bricks, minifigures and baseplates, but not DUPLO®, Technic™, built sets or anything electronic. As sets aren’t passed on complete, it’s best for loose bricks. Complete or boxed sets are often worth more when sold.
There’s also the option to donate your LEGO® collection to a local school or nursery, but make sure you give them a call to check whether they’re interested first.
Most schools will be happy to accept your donations! Unfortunately, school budgets aren’t as big as they used to be, so getting such a loveable toy for free will help schools to entertain kids and keep their money free for other supplies and resources.
This is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a nephew, niece or friend to the love of brick building! Collecting LEGO® bricks isn’t the cheapest hobby, so most of your loved ones would be thrilled to get your unwanted collection for free.
If you’re selling or donating LEGO® bricks, they need to be in a good enough condition to play with. See our acceptance guidelines for guidance.
If your LEGO® bricks aren’t in a usable condition and you’re wondering how to recycle LEGO® bricks like these, it’s worth checking whether your local household waste recycling centre accepts rigid plastics. Your council’s website should tell you what they take. You could also give odd or damaged bricks a new purpose with our creative uses for LEGO® bricks.
LEGO® bricks might not belong in your recycling bin, but that doesn’t mean their playing days are over! Whether you sell them, donate them or pass them on, keeping your bricks in circulation means they’ll be enjoyed for years to come.
Ready to clear some space? Get an instant price for your LEGO® sets or loose bricks with WeBuyBricks today.
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