🍃LEGO for grown ups (and the planet).

Did you know?

In Denmark, we take our bricks seriously, and no, I’m not talking about concrete. I’m talking about LEGO.

For many of us here, LEGO is more than a childhood memory. It’s a symbol of creativity, engineering, and thinking in systems. It taught us, from a young age, how to build, rebuild, and solve problems with our hands.

So when I came across a company in Germany using a LEGO like concept to reinvent the way we build real homes, it grabbed my attention instantly.

The company is called Polycare, and they’ve developed a building system that works like giant LEGO, but with a critical difference:

Instead of using cement and heavy construction materials, they use waste.

Waste sand. Recycled plastic. No cement. No water. No traditional emissions heavy process.

Just strong, stackable blocks that can be assembled easily with no specialist labour needed.

They’re already building homes, schools, and infrastructure in parts of the world where traditional construction simply isn’t viable.

And if you ask me?

This is exactly what we need more of:

Not just sustainable substitutes, but complete redesigns of the systems we’ve taken for granted for far too long.

Photo credit: Built Offsite website.

The big idea:

Let’s break it down.

Cement is responsible for around 7% of global CO₂ emissions. 

Polycare replaces it entirely using:

• 90% waste sand

• 10% recycled plastic binder

•  0% cement

That alone slashes emissions by 58% compared to traditional concrete.

But the brilliance doesn’t stop there.

These blocks are:

→ Reusable: take them apart and build again.
→ Water efficient: ideal for dry regions.
→ Simple to assemble: no skilled labour needed.
→ Strong and modular: perfect for homes, schools, and churches.

They’re already in use in Namibia, creating low impact buildings that are easy to scale.

Smart, circular design can do what regulation struggles to:

Reduce emissions, cut costs, and empower communities all at once.

If you’re in manufacturing or development, here’s your takeaway:

The future belongs to the builders who think like designers.

Make sustainability a real business advantage

If you’re a business leader looking to accelerate your impact journey and make it profitable, then let’s talk.

I’m opening a few slots to speak with leaders who are serious about creating an impact and seeing the results over the next 6 to 18 months.

Just hit reply and tell me, in one sentence:

👉What’s the one outcome you’d love to achieve?

I’ll read every reply, and if I can help, I’ll get back to you personally.

Tip of the week:

Want to bring this kind of thinking into your own work?

Start here:

1. Map your material hotspots.
What’s driving your emissions? Start with heavy materials like cement, steel, or new plastics.

2. Ask what’s essential?
Do you need every material you’re using, or is it just a habit to use it?

3. Find waste based alternatives.
Look for suppliers using recycled inputs, waste sand, or even bio based binders.

4. Design for reuse.
Think modular, easy to assemble, and easy to disassemble.

Here’s the key message to take away.

You don’t need to reinvent the wheel.

Sometimes, you just need to reimagine the block.

Interested in continuing this conversation? Send me a DM on LinkedIn or reply to this email.

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Best,
Jasper.