Plants From Plants

In the end, this is sort of a tough set to review. The price per part is a bit high (if you consider this as a $5 set) and there isn't really anything much that you can actually build with the included parts (no stems, sticks, or other pieces are included). For kids, the play value is virtually nonexistent - there's nothing to actually do here. I also think the kid value is definitely in the eye of the beholder (myself as a kid, I would have loved this box but I don't think most kids would feel that way). For adults, the novelty is the fact that the pieces are made from actual plants...but in the end you can't really tell (which is the point) but it makes for a slightly overpriced box of plant bits. Even worse, the most common element (the three-leaf plants) seem to show up on the LEGO pick-a-brick wall fairly often...and you get can get a TON of them in a single cup for a lot less cost-per-part if you are so inclined. That leaves me in a weird spot where the individual grades for the set are all rather low (as is the overall grade) and yet I personally still like the set (such as it is). I can't recommend buying it, but for a freebie set from LEGO we could definitely have done much worse! more less

This Plants from Plants (40320) set is a great introduction to elements that are produced by plant-based materials. As I mentioned before, you literally can not tell the difference between the new parts from the older ones. Since they are made with sugarcane, LEGO is actually helping the environment and the planet itself by cutting down on the amount of fossil fuels used to product their products. more less

You can never have too many plant pieces so this box provides an excellent opportunity to stock up on them. The fact they are made from sugarcane will make no difference whatsoever in use. However, it does make a difference in cutting down on the use of fossil fuels, so it's a big deal for the company, and the planet. Producing polythene parts in this way is LEGO's first step towards using sustainable materials in all of its core products and packaging and releasing this set is a great way to make people aware of it. more less

Is bio-plastic better for the environment than traditional polyethylene? I would say it absolutely is. It consumes waste from a product that we are already producing, and lessens greenhouse gas emissions in the process. Calling these elements “sustainable" is a bit of a misnomer in my opinion, but it does reach the LEGO® Group's goal of having “an ever-lighter footprint than the material it replaces". It may not be technically sustainable, but it is more environmentally friendly. I think these elements are the first step in the right direction, and the LEGO® Group should be applauded for the effort. more less