Lego’s Sustainable Journey

Lego has long been a symbol of creativity and imagination for generations, but the company is now working towards reimagining the materials that make up its iconic bricks. As part of its sustainability mission, Lego is replacing virgin fossil fuels used in its acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) bricks with recycled or biobased oils. The move is part of Lego’s broader strategy to reduce reliance on fossil resources and transition to renewable and sustainable raw materials.

The Shift to Sustainable ABS

ABS plastic is the backbone of Lego bricks, providing the durability, color stability, and precision that fans expect. Historically, ABS has been made from virgin fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and contribute to environmental degradation. However, Lego has begun using biobased or recycled oils as part of a more sustainable approach to producing the material.

Lego is adopting a mass balance approach to this transition. This method involves blending renewable and fossil raw materials on a large scale, and then distributing the mixed material across different products. Although the renewable content in each individual Lego brick cannot be pinpointed due to this blending process, Lego’s suppliers certify the overall amount of renewable content purchased. This certification ensures that the company is making tangible progress toward its sustainability goals.

In the first half of this year alone, Lego achieved a significant milestone by sourcing 30% of its ABS material from certified sustainable sources, up from 18% in 2023. This marks an important step in their ongoing journey to increase the proportion of renewable content in their bricks.

A Stepping Stone

While the mass balance approach is a key component of Lego’s sustainability efforts, the company sees it as a transitional strategy. The long-term goal is to move away from fossil fuels entirely, but the company recognizes that current technology and market conditions make this difficult to achieve immediately.

“The mass balance approach is a stepping stone that helps us continue our transition to using more and more renewable raw materials, but it’s not the end goal,” Lego states. By adopting this method, the company believes it will help drive demand for renewable materials in the wider market, creating the conditions necessary for the development of a reliable supply of sustainable resources. This will ultimately enable Lego to increase the use of renewable materials without compromising the quality and durability of its bricks.

Concurrently, Lego is actively working with industry partners to encourage the development of an industry standard that ensures chemical and physical traceability of renewable materials. The goal is to create a future where renewable raw materials can be tracked throughout the supply chain, leading to more transparency and accountability.

Investing in Innovation for a Sustainable Future

In addition to the mass balance approach, Lego is investing heavily in advanced recycling technologies and exploring new material solutions. This multifaceted approach is part of the company’s broader ambition to create fully sustainable Lego bricks by 2032.

Despite the clear roadmap, Lego has not yet committed to a specific percentage of renewable or recycled materials in its bricks by 2032. This transition is challenging, but by adopting sustainable materials, collaborating with industry partners, and investing in recycling technologies, Lego demonstrates how established brands can evolve responsibly and drive positive environmental change.