Lego will manufacture tires from recycled materials

The Lego Group has announced that as part of its environmental agenda, it will use recycled materials in the production of some of its tires. The new material is made by recycling discarded fishing nets and ropes from the ocean, and then mixing it with recycled motor oil, and by using it, Lego — technically the world's largest tire manufacturer — reduces its dependence on fossil fuel-based raw materials.

Initially, the eco-friendly material will be used in the production of seven sets of Lego tires, and its proportion will be at least 30%. Eco-tires have already started appearing in Lego sets, and the company says they are "indistinguishable from the usual ones that fans appreciate and love".

It is expected that by the end of 2025, new tires will be added to about 120 sets, and in the future, the company intends to explore ways to use recycled materials in the production of other tire options.

"This is a new exciting initiative that we are undertaking to make Lego products more sustainable and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels," said Anne Staub, Lego's Head of Sustainability. "Over the past five years, we have spent a lot of time developing and testing the new recycled material to ensure it meets our high standards of quality, safety, and durability. Tires are just one of the products we're trying to make more sustainable, and it's always great to see something so innovative make it into our sets."

Lego is currently working extensively to increase the sustainability of its sets and packaging, and to date, over 600 new materials have been tested.

Automotive tire manufacturers are also working in this direction, and in recent years, many leading companies have introduced products with an increased proportion of eco-materials — recycled or from renewable sources.