The LEGO Group reported that 52% of the materials used to produce its bricks in 2025 came from renewable and recycled sources, up from 33% in 2024. The milestone forms part of the company’s broader sustainability roadmap, which targets more sustainable product materials by 2032 and net zero emissions across its value chain by 2050.

The update was released alongside LEGO’s 2025 Sustainability Statement, which also reaffirmed its goal to reduce carbon emissions by 37% by 2032 compared to a 2019 baseline.

 

Mass Balance Drives Scale

 

A significant portion of LEGO’s renewable and recycled input is sourced through a mass balance approach. Under this system, suppliers blend virgin fossil materials with certified renewable or recycled feedstocks such as used cooking oil or plant-based inputs. LEGO purchases certified volumes, with documentation verifying the renewable share.

In 2025, 60% of LEGO’s purchased materials were sourced via mass balance, up from 47% in 2024. An additional 4% of materials were directly sourced sustainable inputs, bringing the estimated average renewable and recycled content to 52%.

The company noted that despite 29% revenue growth since 2022, it used less virgin fossil-based material in 2025 than it did three years earlier, indicating decoupling of growth from fossil-based material use.

 

Read more: UK Researchers Deploy Drones and AI to Reduce Chemical Use in Weed Management

 

Investment and Packaging Transition

 

LEGO increased spending on environmental and social initiatives by 20% year over year in 2025, following a 68% increase the prior year. Investments focus heavily on sustainable materials research, product carbon footprint reduction, and packaging innovation.

As part of a previously announced initiative, the company is phasing out single-use plastic packaging inside LEGO boxes. As of 2025, 56% of global factory packaging lines have transitioned to paper-based bags.

 

Explore OneStop ESG Marketplace: Waste management

 

Strategic Implications

 

For consumer brands, LEGO’s update highlights a growing shift toward integrating renewable feedstocks into high-volume plastic production without waiting for entirely new material systems to scale. The use of certified mass balance sourcing reflects a pragmatic pathway for reducing fossil dependency while maintaining product durability and safety standards.

The company’s progress also aligns with tightening regulatory scrutiny around plastics, carbon disclosure and extended producer responsibility frameworks in key markets.

LEGO Group CEO Niels B Christiansen said the company remains focused on reducing its environmental footprint while improving access to play globally, signaling continued capital allocation toward sustainability initiatives as core business strategy rather than peripheral corporate responsibility.