--- title: "Sustainability Snapshot: The LEGO Group" id: "12106" type: "post" slug: "sustainability-snapshot-the-lego-group" published_at: "2026-09-11T18:22:48+00:00" modified_at: "2026-09-10T18:23:29+00:00" url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/sustainability-snapshot-the-lego-group-012106/" markdown_url: "https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/sustainability-snapshot-the-lego-group-012106.md" excerpt: "LEGO is reducing emissions and expanding the use of renewable, recycled, and mass-balance plastics across its global toy portfolio and supply chain." taxonomy_category: - "Bioplastics" - "Business" - "Circular Economy" - "Design" - "Durables" - "Editor's Choice Technical Paper" - "Industry" - "Injection Molding" - "Materials" - "People" - "PET" - "Polycarbonate" - "Polyethylene" - "Polyolefins" - "Polypropylene" - "Process" - "Recycling" - "Resins" - "Strategy" - "Sustainability" - "Thermoplastics" - "Toys" - "Trending" taxonomy_post_tag: - "ABS recycling" - "bio-based polyethylene" - "circular plastics" - "LEGO emissions" - "LEGO sustainable materials" - "mass balance plastics" - "recycled PET" - "Recycled plastics" - "renewable plastics" - "sustainable toys" --- [Home](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/) » [News](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/news/) » [Industry](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/) » [Toys](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/c/industry/toys/) » Sustainability Snapshot: The LEGO Group # Sustainability Snapshot: The LEGO Group LEGO elements made from flexible bio-polyethylene derived from sugarcane. Courtesy of The LEGO Group. ### LEGO is reducing emissions and expanding the use of renewable, recycled, and mass-balance plastics across its global toy portfolio and supply chain. The LEGO Group, arguably the most recognizable toy brand in the world, has established a strong reputation for play since its founding in 1932. A key element of its success lies in exceptional plastic materials and engineering. Its product range primarily consists of injection-molded plastic, including both rigid, durable bricks and soft, flexible elements, collectively known as LEGO elements. **You can also read:**[LEGO drops plan to make its bricks from recycled PET bottles.](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2023/09/lego_drops_plan_to_make_its_bricks_from_recycled_pet_bottles-002028/) Since 1963, most LEGO elements have been produced from plastics, specifically acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, or ABS. Over the decades, the combination of imaginative play design and expertly engineered polymers has resulted in nearly perfect plastic toys. The functionality of these products is diverse, encompassing everything from transparent elements and flexible tires to pins and axles. However, as consumers become more aware of sustainability, durable goods like LEGO elements are increasingly scrutinized for their environmental impact. To address this concern while maintaining strict safety and quality standards in mass production, the materials and sustainability teams at LEGO have developed several strategic solutions that incorporate sustainable raw materials and practices. Plastic materials used across LEGO elements, including ABS, HIPS, PA, arMABS, MTPO, and PC, each selected for specific performance requirements. Courtesy of [The LEGO Group.](https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/product-safety/materials) With a wide plastics portfolio, LEGO has embarked on a science-backed, ambitious, and public sustainability journey. Their sustainability snapshot highlights past and ongoing efforts, showcasing their breadth of solutions, from emissions reductions to plastic material sourcing. ## Bottles to Bricks In 2021, The LEGO Group was named one of Time’s Best Inventions for its brick made of recycled PET, or polyethylene terephthalate*.* The concept was simple: to recycle PET bottles into play-quality LEGO bricks. However, in September 2023, the company publicly stated that it had dropped the effort because it would have led to higher carbon emissions and manufacturing disruptions. Its widely anticipated reversal in plastic development was not well received in the plastics community. First, as a global customer of specialty plastics, it demonstrated that sustainable plastics development and commercial integration are difficult, even for the most experienced plastics engineers and organizations. Second, developing sustainable and application-relevant plastics is not a one-size-fits-all solution. From manufacturing requirements, location-dependent regulations, and industry-wide reforms, the quest for lower fossil fuel components is still on. ## Raw Materials and Mass Balance Although the Bottles to Bricks initiative was not commercially successful, LEGO pushed forward with two distinct sustainable material types: [mass balance and renewable and recycled physical content](https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/sustainable-materials) . With 52% of their raw materials coming from these two sustainable material types, their portfolio demonstrates a strong commercial commitment. LEGO uses a diverse polymer portfolio, including bio-PE, POM, PP, TPU, SEBS and TP, to achieve flexibility, strength, elasticity and durability. Courtesy of [The LEGO Group.](https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/product-safety/materials) Starting in 2018, LEGO began incorporating renewable and recycled materials into many of its commercial sets. They introduced bio-PE, derived from Brazilian sugarcane, for botanical-themed elements, incorporating up to 89% of it into the final product. Then, in 2024, they introduced arMABS, made from artificial marble kitchen workshops. This is currently used to manufacture transparent elements like windscreens and windows. Lastly, aiming to start in 2026, they plan to introduce ePOM to produce robust, rigid elements. According to LEGO, ePOM uses cutting-edge technology to combine renewable energy with CO2 from bio-waste to produce e-methanol. This is the sustainable version of methanol, the starting reactant for POM. Unlike physical content, mass balance, or attributed content, it is an approach to increase the amounts of renewable and recycled inputs in purchased raw materials. According to LEGO, their suppliers mix virgin fossil sources with certified renewable sources, such as plant oils, on a large scale and claim to attribute content from the renewable input of this material. Though not their end goal, this approach creates a bridge to more renewable raw materials. LEGO’s ambition is to continue collaboration with industry to develop these materials, ultimately commercializing them by 2032. ## Suppliers and Operations With bold material development efforts, the LEGO Group has also decided to publicly tackle sustainability by targeting its greenhouse gas emissions, as well as its supplier and operational contributions. As the first toy company to announce science-based emission targets, they have [vowed to reduce their absolute greenhouse gas emissions](https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/climate-action) by 37% by 2032, compared to a 2019 baseline. Additionally, they have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To accomplish these ambitious goals, LEGO introduced annual key performance indicators for its emission targets, called Scopes 1, 2, and 3. Each scope measures carbon emissions compared to the number of bricks manufactured. - **Scope 1:** Direct emissions from LEGO factories, offices, stores and vehicles. - **Scope 2:** Indirect emissions from the energy we purchase to power LEGO factories, offices, stores and vehicles. - **Scope 3:** Emissions from outside the LEGO Group operations, from our supply chain. Scopes 1 and 2 aim to minimize the environmental impact of operations. The key focus areas include reducing the overall carbon footprint by increasing renewable energy use within production facilities, reducing energy consumption, investing in carbon-efficient projects, reducing waste in factories, and reducing water usage. To tackle Scope 3, which accounts for 99% of emissions, LEGO launched a [Supplier Sustainability Program](https://www.lego.com/en-us/sustainability/our-suppliers) in recognition of its role in helping achieve the 2032 and 2050 goals. In addition to creating sustainable business practices, the company has emphasized finding and developing sustainable raw materials without compromising quality or safety. By **[Jennifer Chavez](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jenniferchavez/)** | September 11, 2026 ##### [Jennifer Chavez](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/author/jenniferchavez/) [+ postsBio ⮌](#) Jennifer Chavez is a chemist-turned materials scientist with expertise in advanced plastics manufacturing and experience spanning orthodontic medical devices, consumer products, and renewable energy. She currently works as a materials engineer in the aerospace sector, focusing on process development and compliance for flight-critical hardware. ### Other posts you could read [September 8, 2026AI Uses Thermal Imaging to Predict Molded Part Quality](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/ai-uses-thermal-imaging-to-predict-molded-part-quality-012035/) [August 17, 2026How Product Design Shapes Medical Plastics Recovery](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/08/how-product-design-shapes-medical-plastics-recovery-011787/) [September 4, 2026Thermoplastic Polyurethane Foams for Wearable Electronics](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/thermoplastic-polyurethane-foams-for-wearable-electronics-012011/) [September 3, 2026Apricot Shell Flour Enhances Zein Bioplastics for Packaging](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/apricot-shell-flour-enhances-zein-bioplastics-for-packaging-011954/) [August 13, 2026Digital Twins and Predictive Analytics in Plastics Supply Chains](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/08/digital-twins-and-predictive-analytics-in-plastics-supply-chains-011555/) [September 7, 2026Catalytic Pathways Target Chemical Circularity for Polyolefins](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/09/catalytic-pathways-target-chemical-circularity-for-polyolefins-012015/) [August 28, 2026McLaren, Deloitte, and FIA Bring Circularity to Formula 1](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/08/mclaren-deloitte-and-fia-bring-circularity-to-formula-1-011915/) [August 19, 2026Why Emotional Packaging Matters to Younger Consumers](https://www.plasticsengineering.org/2026/08/why-emotional-packaging-matters-to-younger-consumers-011899/) ## Share Your Thoughts [Cancel reply](/2026/09/sustainability-snapshot-the-lego-group-012106/#respond) - [https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&text=Sustainability+Snapshot%3A+The+LEGO+Group&via=Plastics_Mag](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&text=Sustainability+Snapshot%3A+The+LEGO+Group&via=Plastics_Mag) - [https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&t=Sustainability+Snapshot%3A+The+LEGO+Group](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&t=Sustainability+Snapshot%3A+The+LEGO+Group) - [https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&title=Sustainability%20Snapshot:%20The%20LEGO%20Group&summary=LEGO+is+reducing+emissions+and+expanding+the+use+of+renewable%2C+recycled%2C+and+mass-balance+plastics+across+its+global+toy+portfolio+and+supply+chain.&source=Plastics+Engineering](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&title=Sustainability%20Snapshot:%20The%20LEGO%20Group&summary=LEGO+is+reducing+emissions+and+expanding+the+use+of+renewable%2C+recycled%2C+and+mass-balance+plastics+across+its+global+toy+portfolio+and+supply+chain.&source=Plastics+Engineering) - [https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&title=Sustainability+Snapshot%3A+The+LEGO+Group](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.plasticsengineering.org/?p=12106&title=Sustainability+Snapshot%3A+The+LEGO+Group) - [/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88b7fbfdeae2edebfcb5d8e4e9fbfce1ebfba8cde6efe1e6ededfae1e6efa8a5a8dbfdfbfce9e1e6e9eae1e4e1fcf1a8dbe6e9f8fbe0e7fcb2a8dce0eda8c4cdcfc7a8cffae7fdf8aeeae7ecf1b5e0fcfcf8fbb2a7a7ffffffa6f8e4e9fbfce1ebfbede6efe1e6ededfae1e6efa6e7faefa7b7f8b5b9bab9b8be](/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88b7fbfdeae2edebfcb5d8e4e9fbfce1ebfba8cde6efe1e6ededfae1e6efa8a5a8dbfdfbfce9e1e6e9eae1e4e1fcf1a8dbe6e9f8fbe0e7fcb2a8dce0eda8c4cdcfc7a8cffae7fdf8aeeae7ecf1b5e0fcfcf8fbb2a7a7ffffffa6f8e4e9fbfce1ebfbede6efe1e6ededfae1e6efa6e7faefa7b7f8b5b9bab9b8be) - [#comments](#comments)