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I'm wondering if things like LEGO store plastic bags, LEGO boxes, instruction booklets, packaging etc., count as "LEGO pieces" if I incorporate them into a build for the purposes of posting as a purist LEGO MOC?

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    Even though this is an interesting question with interesting possible answers, it is still sadly the textbook definition of "primarily opinion-based", as there is no official definition of the term.
    – zovits
    Oct 28, 2019 at 9:13
  • Question could be reformulated so it's less opinion-based, e.g. What stuff produced be lego but not technically considered a lego element can be used in builds ?
    – Michael Verschaeve
    Nov 7, 2019 at 13:39

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There is no official answer on this, as “purist” LEGO is a consensus, not a definition. That said, there are several examples of pieces LEGO doesn’t classify as a part that are used in MOCs, such as:

  • The pin used to keep bundles of 4 train tracks together.

enter image description here

  • This Technic hub piece was never originally intended for standalone use (it was part of a pin joiner) but has been used by MOCcers due to having antistuds on both sides (within a 1x1 brick footprint). It was later used as a standalone piece in official sets before being replaced with a new design.

enter image description here

  • The iconic brick separator is not intended as a regular LEGO piece, but has a whole class of MOCs based on it. I have seen it used as railway station roofs, spaceship wings etc.

enter image description here

Net, I think the general consensus is that if it has been produced by LEGO and you can find a way to incorporate it into a MOC, your creation is still considered “purist”. At the least it gives you good arguments for any debate that might arise.

Curious to see how you will incorporate shopping bags in a MOC ... I can imagine one being used in a rather large scale MOC where you utilize the LEGO logo on it as part of a display.

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  • Well, atm Lego shopping bags are the only way to store liquids or gases, or making airfoils of customizable designs while being "pure Lego". This may be pushing the limits for a bit.
    – he77789
    Oct 27, 2019 at 13:26
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    Not correct, pneumatic tanks can be used to store liquids or gasses: bricklink.com/v2/catalog/catalogitem.page?P=67c01#T=C&C=1
    – Michael Verschaeve
    Oct 28, 2019 at 12:50
  • I used the track pin in a MOC myself
    – Joubarc
    Oct 29, 2019 at 20:03
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    @Michael Verschaeve Well I mean a large amount, as a shopping bag can hold at least a few liters but those only store like 100mL.
    – he77789
    Nov 6, 2019 at 4:49
  • FYI: I don't know about early sets, but later the Technic hub was used as an individual piece in official sets.
    – Alexander O'Mara
    Dec 20, 2019 at 19:21
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Another Lego byproduct that gets reused from time to time are "sprues". Some elements are moulded by having channels directing the plastic to the various part of the element. The remnant plastic in these channels is called the sprue (confusingly the channels themselves are called the sprue as well) Some Lego elements are provided with a sprue still attached.

Two examples come to mind: The sprue of this plant element

plant with sprue

is often used as vines

enter image description here

And the magic wand elements from the Harry Potter series also come with a sprue, here is an example of them used as a decorative element in a wall

enter image description here

More uses of the Harry Potter magic wand sprue can be found here: http://www.newelementary.com/2018/08/how-to-use-lego-harry-potter-wand-sprue.html

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