How Has LEGO Doubled its Renewable Energy Capacity?

Companies in a whole host of industries outside of traditional energy-based spaces are working to shift their energy reliance from fossil fuels to power from renewable sources.

Danish toy construction manufacturer LEGO — which generations of people will fondly remember building with — is not only ensuring its operations are more sustainable and its bricks used time and time again, but also that it is increasingly using renewable energy.

This is part of its continued commitment to sustainability.

In continuing this legacy, the LEGO Group has significantly expanded its renewable energy capacity at its Kladno factory in the Czech Republic. This comes in the form of solar panels, which is part of a broader strategy to reduce the environmental impact of LEGO's manufacturing processes and contribute to global efforts against climate change. 

By installing these new solar panels, LEGO has more than doubled the factory’s renewable energy output, showcasing how innovative practices can lead to substantial reductions in carbon emissions. 

LEGO’s building blocks of sustainability

As companies worldwide seek to balance production with environmental responsibility, LEGO’s proactive approach serves as a model for integrating renewable energy solutions into industrial operations.

“Expanding our renewable energy capacity at our factory is a key part of our commitment to minimising the environmental impact of our manufacturing activities and reducing our carbon footprint,” says Michaela T. Horáková, General Manager of the LEGO factory in Kladno.

“The newly installed solar panels are projected to reduce the factory’s overall carbon footprint by more than 9% of its total annual electricity consumption in the coming years.”

This expansion has increased the total renewable energy generated at the factory from 1MWp to 2.5MWp, equivalent to powering 400 homes.

The new solar panels at Kladno have been installed on recently constructed buildings and previously unused rooftop areas, covering approximately 11,000m². 

How is this impacting LEGO’s wider global sustainability efforts?

LEGO's commitment to sustainability extends beyond the Kladno factory. 

The company has been increasing its investments in solar capacity across its manufacturing sites globally.

In 2023, the company’s total maximum solar capacity across these locations reached 15.6MWp, 16% more than that available in 2022.

But it doesn’t stop there. LEGO’s sustainability efforts include ambitious plans for its upcoming factories in Vietnam — where operations are set to begin in 2025 — and Richmond, in the US state of Virginia, which is set to begin operations in 2027.

Both new factories aim to include on-site and off-site solar facilities with the capacity to match their total annual energy requirements.

Additionally, LEGO plans to build a solar park in Billund, Denmark — with the goal of meeting the energy needs of its offices and facilities throughout the city where the iconic brand was born more than 90 years ago.

Making LEGO bricks more sustainable

LEGO is enhancing the energy efficiency and sustainability of its brick manufacturing through several key initiatives. 

The company aims to replace oil-based plastics with renewable and recycled materials by 2032, having tested more than 600 alternatives to meet quality and safety standards.

Notable innovations include arMABS —  made from recycled artificial marble — and the upcoming ePOM, which utilises renewable energy and CO₂ from bio-waste.

Niels B. Christiansen, LEGO's CEO, says: “This means a significant increase in the cost of producing a LEGO brick. However, with a family owner committed to sustainability, it’s a privilege that we can pay extra for the raw materials without having to charge customers extra.”

The brand has significantly boosted its spending on environmental initiatives, planning to double it by 2025.

“By designing bricks that last for generations, we aim to inspire endless creativity and stop Lego bricks from becoming waste,” adds Annette Stube, LEGO’s CSO.

“And alongside encouraging fans to keep bricks in play, we are continuing to explore more ways to repurpose Lego bricks through our takeback initiatives.”

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