LEGO Group Takes a Major Step in Sustainability with Tires Made from Recycled Ocean Materials

LEGO Group Takes a Major Step in Sustainability with Tires Made from Recycled Ocean Materials

(IN BRIEF) The LEGO Group has introduced a new line of tires crafted from recycled fishing nets, ropes, and engine oil, marking a significant step in the company’s commitment to sustainability. The move is part of the LEGO Group’s ongoing efforts to incorporate more renewable and recycled materials into its products by 2032.

(PRESS RELEASE) BILLUND, 26-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — The LEGO Group has announced a groundbreaking initiative in its pursuit of sustainability. In a major leap forward, the company has developed new LEGO tires made from over one-third recycled materials, including discarded fishing nets, ropes, and engine oil. This new innovation is already featured in select LEGO® sets, with a full rollout planned for later this year.

The recycled materials used to create these tires are sourced from ocean vessels, with discarded ropes and nets repurposed and combined with recycled engine oil. This process helps reduce the need for virgin fossil fuels in manufacturing, contributing to the LEGO Group’s goal of reducing its environmental impact.

Initially, the new tires, each containing at least 30% recycled content, will appear in seven distinct tire pieces, and are expected to be included in around 120 different LEGO sets by the end of 2025. Despite their eco-friendly makeup, the tires are virtually indistinguishable from the existing designs that fans know and love, ensuring that the new sustainability efforts do not compromise product quality or performance.

Annette Stube, the LEGO Group’s Chief Sustainability Officer, expressed excitement over the new development: “This is an exciting step forward in our mission to make LEGO products more sustainable and reduce our reliance on virgin fossil fuels. Over the past five years, we’ve dedicated significant resources to developing and testing this new recycled material to ensure it meets our rigorous standards for quality, safety, and durability. The introduction of these tires is just one example of the many sustainable solutions we’re exploring.”

The introduction of the tires made from recycled materials, known as rSEBS*, is part of the LEGO Group’s broader efforts to incorporate sustainable materials into all aspects of its product lines. The company has been actively testing over 600 different materials for its iconic bricks and components to identify those with the lowest environmental impact.

Among the other key initiatives driving the LEGO Group’s sustainability efforts are:

• Bio-polyethylene (bio-PE): Introduced in 2018, this plastic, made from Brazilian sugarcane, is used in more than 200 LEGO elements, including minifigure accessories and plants. Over half of LEGO sets now feature bio-PE components.
• Recycled artificial marble (arMABS): Starting in 2024, LEGO elements like lightsabers, windows, and windscreens will contain 20% recycled artificial marble, contributing to the sustainable production of over 900 arMABS elements across LEGO sets.
• e-Methanol and ePOM: In collaboration with industry partners, LEGO is integrating e-methanol, a renewable energy-based material, into the production of ePOM, which will debut in wheel axles and other LEGO elements in the near future.

As part of its sustainability commitments, by mid-2024, 30% of all resin purchased by the LEGO Group will be certified according to mass balance principles, with 22% of that sourced from renewable sources.

The LEGO Group’s dedication to sustainability is further demonstrated through its ongoing collaboration with suppliers, research institutions, and other industry leaders. These partnerships are essential for advancing the development of innovative materials that align with the company’s goals of creating a greener future for both the company and future generations.

For more information, please contact media@lego.com.

For more information on the LEGO Group’s sustainability initiatives, visit https://www.lego.com/sustainability.

About the LEGO Group

The LEGO Group’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine.

The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg GOdt, which mean “Play Well”.

Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. Its products are now sold in more than 120 countries worldwide. For more information: www.LEGO.com

SOURCE: LEGO System A/S