Lego Introduces Sustainable Tires Made From Recycled Ocean Materials
The new rSEBS material used to manufacture the tires is composed of discarded ropes and fishing nets from ocean vessels and recycled engine oil.
The Lego Group has unveiled a new, eco-friendly initiative by incorporating a sustainable material for select Lego tires, sourced from recycled fishing nets, ropes, and engine oil. This move is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to reducing its environmental footprint and making its products more sustainable.
According to the company, the new material is crafted by repurposing discarded ropes and fishing nets from ocean vessels. These are combined with recycled engine oil, effectively reducing the need for virgin fossil fuel-based ingredients. Initially, this material will be used in seven Lego tire pieces, each containing at least 30% recycled content.
The new tires already appear in Lego sets, and the company said they are indistinguishable from the ones fans are familiar with. Lego anticipates that by the end of 2025, these tires will be included in approximately 120 different sets, with plans to expand the use of recycled content across additional tire styles in the future.
A step toward sustainability
Chief Sustainability Officer Annette Stube highlighted that this initiative is part of the company’s broader effort to reduce its reliance on virgin fossil fuels.
“Over the last 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,” Stube said. “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.”
Rolling toward a greener future
The new tire material, known as rSEBS, is part of Lego’s comprehensive strategy to transition its products to more sustainable materials. Lego has emphasized that there is no single solution to sustainability, which is why the company is exploring a variety of approaches to reduce its environmental impact and incorporate more renewable and recycled materials.
To date, Lego has tested over 600 different materials for its bricks and other elements. Other key sustainability initiatives include:
- Bio-polyethylene (bio-PE):Since 2018, Lego has used bio-PE, a flexible and durable plastic made from Brazilian sugarcane, in certain elements like minifigure accessories and botanical pieces. Today, over 200 elements are made from bio-PE, with more than half of Lego sets containing at least one of these sustainable components.
- Recycled artificial marble (arMABS):Starting in 2024, transparent Lego pieces, such as lightsabers, windscreens, and windows, will include 20% recycled content derived from artificial marble, commonly used in kitchen countertops. The company aims to have more than 900 different arMABS elements in production, with these elements appearing in more than 85% of Lego sets once fully transitioned.
- eMethanol and ePOM:Lego is collaborating with industry partners to acquire e-methanol, a material produced by blending renewable energy with CO2 from bio-waste. This innovative material will be used to create ePOM, which is expected to feature in Lego elements, such as wheel axles, in the near future.
A sustainable commitment
Lego has also committed to transforming the raw materials used in its bricks. By the second half of 2024, the company aims for 30% of all resin it purchases to be certified according to mass balance principles, representing an estimated 22% renewable sources.
The Lego Group continues to collaborate with suppliers, research institutions, and other industries to advance the development of renewable and recycled materials. By partnering with experts across various fields, Lego aims to accelerate progress toward a more sustainable future, not only for their products but for future generations of children.
This latest move toward sustainable tires marks another milestone in Lego’s commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.
Last year, Lego set out to drive down carbon emissions in its supply chain by launching a supplier sustainability program in recognition of the critical role that suppliers play in helping achieve its targets.
The company said at the time it is committed to reducing its emissions by 37% by 2032 and achieving net-zero by 2050. To achieve this requires that its suppliers take significant steps to reduce their own emissions.
According to the company, more than 99% of its total carbon emissions originate outside its own operations, primarily from suppliers that provide raw materials, machinery, products, and services related to Lego products.
“To put it simply, a net-zero world is not achievable unless we find solutions beyond our own operations,” said Stuble at the time. “We won’t be able to meet our sustainability targets alone — we must collaborate with our suppliers. We want future generations to inherit a healthy planet, and there’s no time to waste.”
The company is also working with urgency to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its own operations. This requires cutting energy consumption and accelerating the transition to renewable energy. Notable efforts include increasing solar capacity by 16% compared to 2022, with plans to double it by 2026. This year, the company also introduced an annual carbon key performance indicator to track emissions across its factories, stores, and offices, ensuring short-term progress.
Carsten Rasmussen, COO of the Lego Group, emphasized that sustainability is essential to the company’s operations and plays a key role in how it selects suppliers.
“We have ideas and a clear pathway, but we cannot do it alone,” he said. “We need all of our partners to help us achieve our sustainability goals. The Supplier Sustainability Program is built on collaboration, and we cannot underestimate the power of working together to create lasting change and a more sustainable future.”
The Lego Group continues to prioritize reducing emissions, having increased its environmental initiatives by 60% in recent years. This includes significant investments in sustainable materials innovation, manufacturing technology, and its supply chain.
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