Lego has introduced tyres made using over one-third recycled material into select Lego sets, with a full transition planned for later this year.

Since 1963, Lego pieces have been manufactured from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic. This material offers many advantages in durability, safety, quality and consistency. However, it is not environmentally friendly. 

Lego has declared that by 2032 its ambition is to make its bricks from renewable or recycled materials.  

Having already made some steps on this journey, including the use of biopolyethylene for botanical elements and Minifigure accessories, the latest step is the introduction of a sustainable material for Lego tyres that does not rely on virgin fossil fuel-based ingredients.

The material is created by combining discarded fishing ropes and nets from ocean vessels with recycled engine oil. 

The new material is called rSEBS – the ‘r’ indicates some of the components are of mechanically recycled origin while SEBS denotes the material is a blend of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene.

rSEBS will initially feature in seven Lego tyre pieces, with each piece containing at least 30% recycled content. 

According to Lego, the new tyres are indistinguishable from existing tyres. By the end of 2025, the new tyres will feature in approximately 120 different Lego sets.  

Annette Stube, chief sustainability officer at Lego, said: “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 tyres 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.”

Lego says that there is no single solution to the challenges of sustainability. As well as producing ‘green’ materials, it is also focusing on other initiatives.

For instance, last year it announced that it was exploring takeback initiatives to ensure Lego bricks never end up in landfill as part of a ‘made to be played’ campaign. It is also piloting trade-in schemes in the US and Germany to encourage people to trade in their used bricks.

Earlier in February 2025, the Danish firm announced a 19m krone (£2m) commitment towards four carbon removal projects as well as supporting other environmental initiatives such as biochar, enhanced rock weathering and reforestation solutions.

Stube said: “Innovative, high-quality carbon removal projects and emerging technologies have the potential to play an important role in supporting a more sustainable future, while reforestation has the potential to support improved biodiversity. 

“These partnerships allow us to build our understanding of new technologies and practices to support a healthy planet for future generations.”