The LEGO Group continues its effort toward more eco-friendly products with the innovation of more sustainable LEGO pieces.
The company introduced a more sustainable material, made from recycled fishing nets, ropes, and engine oil, for selected LEGO tires. The material is made of repurposed discarded ropes and nets from ocean vessels, which are then combined with recycled engine oil to reduce reliance on virgin fossil fuel-based ingredients.
The LEGO Group will initially use the material, known as rSEBS, in seven LEGO tire pieces, each containing at least 30% recycled content. Some of the sustainable LEGO tires already appear in sets on shelves now. The company expects to use these new tires in approximately 120 different sets by the end of the year. It also plans to explore ways to expand recycled content across more tire styles in the near future.
This is an exciting step in our ambition to make LEGO products more sustainable and reduce our dependence on virgin fossil fuels. Over the past five years, we have invested significant time in developing and testing this new recycled material to ensure it meets our high standards for quality, safety, and durability. The tires are just one of many options we’re working on to make our products more sustainable and it’s encouraging to see something this innovative making it into our sets.
Key initiatives in the company’s journey to being more sustainable include using bio-polyethylene (made from Brazilian sugarcane) to replace some plastics; recycled artificial marble for transparent elements; e-methanol and ePOM to debut in select elements in the future; and raw materials to create its bricks. It is collaborating with suppliers, research institutions, and other industries to develop and refine materials to transition to more renewable and recycled content.
The LEGO Group will share its 2024 sustainability report on March 11.
