• 30% Recycled Content: New LEGO tires use over one-third recycled materials, including old fishing nets, ropes, and engine oil.
• 120 Sets by 2025: The sustainable tires are expected to appear in 120 LEGO sets by the end of next year.
• Broader Green Goals: This move aligns with LEGO’s target to use more renewable and recycled materials by 2032.

LEGO’s Latest Sustainability Move: Recycled Tires in New Sets

LEGO Group today unveiled new tires made with over 30% recycled materials, including fishing nets, ropes, and engine oil. These innovative tires are already featured in select LEGO® sets, with a full rollout planned by the end of the year.

Why it matters:

The shift is part of LEGO’s broader ambition to transition to renewable and recycled materials by 2032, showcasing how major brands can lead in environmental responsibility.

The details:

• The new tires are manufactured using rSEBS, a material derived from discarded maritime equipment combined with recycled engine oil.
• The new tires are visually and functionally identical to traditional LEGO tires, maintaining the brand’s quality and durability standards.

Related Article: Lego Shifting to Renewable Plastics Despite Higher Costs

Annette Stube, Chief Sustainability Officer, said:
“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.”

LEGO’s Broader Sustainability Initiatives

The recycled tire initiative is just one of LEGO’s sustainability projects:

• Bio-polyethylene (bio-PE): Since 2018, bio-PE from Brazilian sugarcane has been used in over 200 LEGO elements, including minifigure accessories.
• Recycled Artificial Marble (arMABS): Transparent pieces like lightsabers and windows now include 20% recycled material, aiming to feature in 85% of LEGO sets.
• e-Methanol and ePOM: Collaborations to integrate CO2-derived ePOM into wheel axles and other elements.

Looking ahead:

By mid-2024, 30% of all resin purchased by LEGO will be from renewable sources under mass balance principles, contributing to a sustainable transformation of its raw material supply chain.

The bottom line:

As sustainability becomes a business imperative, LEGO’s strategy demonstrates a practical approach to integrating recycled materials into beloved products, setting a benchmark for innovation in the toy industry and beyond.

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