National committment to the environment & community
The IKEA Group is involved in many national and local activities. Below you can read about those that are taking place in your country or your local community. With a respect for nature consistent with the company's Swedish heritage, IKEA believes it can achieve business objectives while being socially and environmentally responsible.
WE ALL NEED A BIG BLUE BAG! As of October 1, 2008, IKEA USA will no longer sell 'throwaway' bags.
BIG BLUE BAG FACTS It's true: The world uses a trillion plastic bags a year. Unfortunately, most end up in the trash, or in the ocean, or in trees...and they take forever to disappear! What we can do together: You can buy a reusable big blue bag that holds as much as five 'throwaway' bags.
A big blue bag. A little green step.
A brilliant idea IKEA values lighting solutions that are more efficient and have less negative impact on the environment. For ten years, IKEA has been selling compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs, which use at least two-thirds less energy than standard incandescent bulbs. According to “18 Seconds.org,” if every U.S. home replaced a regular bulb with a CFL, the reduction of greenhouse gases would be equivalent to taking two million cars off the road. CFLs last from 6-10 times longer than incandescent bulbs and save $30 or more in energy costs over each bulb’s lifetime. Similar to paint, batteries and thermostats, CFLs should be disposed of properly. See our range of bulbs
Erase the Waste IKEA believes that, where possible, waste from manufacturing should be used in the production of other items. In 2006, IKEA implemented the EU directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and IKEA stores now accept and recycle IKEA produced electrical and electronic equipment. Customers can also return certain types of waste such as discarded packaging, spent batteries and low-energy bulbs for proper recycling and disposal. In 2006, IKEA stores and distribution centers handled 281,734 tons of waste, of which 81% was sorted for recycling reuse or energy recover.
Product Development The entire IKEA design process aims at creating products that leave a minimum impact on the environment. IKEA cares deeply about forestry as 50 percent of the raw materials used for IKEA products are wood or wood fibers. For instance, the LACK coffee table has legs of recycled wood waste. Also, the timber IKEA uses must come from responsibly managed forests, and IKEA does not accept timber from intact natural forests or high conservation forests. IKEA contributes to several forestry projects and honors certification by the Forest Stewardship Council. Additionally, IKEA constantly is incorporating recycled wood waste or other innovative materials into the product design.
Building in the Commitment IKEA stores themselves also have environmental measures incorporated into their design, construction and operation. IKEA sorts waste in order to maximize recycling of cardboard, metal, plastic and wood materials. Also, IKEA installs automated systems to optimize the use of HVAC and lights inside its stores, minimizing electricity needs. In addition, the HVAC system adopted by IKEA reflects the Best Available Control Technology for being free of ozonedepleting refrigerants. Local, state and municipal guidelines and regulations may provide other opportunities for IKEA to include environmentally responsible paint, construction materials, drainage systems, etc.
IWAY is the IKEA Way IKEA strives to build long-term relationships with partners that share the company’s dedication to promoting good practices. To ensure suppliers and service providers are aligned with and working towards similar social and environmental goals, IKEA has developed its own code of conduct for business areas such as home furnishing manufacturing, food production, catalogs, transport and distribution. This code of conduct that represents the IKEA vision, and that guides the compliance of all IKEA business partners, is referred to as the ‘IWAY.’ Read our materials
Every Little Bit Helps IKEA keeps looking for ways to reduce any impact on the environment. In-store buying guides in IKEA stores now are being printed on recycled paper. And, inside stores and offices, IKEA separates papers, glass and aluminum for recycling. Some small steps toward a big goal: preserving the planet.
American Forests American Forests works to protect, restore and enhance the natural capital of trees and forests. Healthy forests filter water, remove air pollution, sequester carbon, and provide homes for wildlife. American Forests plants trees to restore areas damaged by wildfire, where critical wildlife habitat has been lost, and to clean our air and water.
IKEA partners with American Forests in the US to plant trees to offset CO2 generated by customer and co-worker transportation to our US stores. Currently the entire 5 cents from the sale of IKEA plastic bags is donated to American Forests to plant trees. Through other customer engagement efforts, including the Plant a Tree program, we have planted more than 725,000 trees. For more information go to www.americanforests.org
Save the Children "IKEA has been a great partner with Save the Children and is a true leader in corporate social responsibility. IKEA is unique. They take a holistic approach to caring about children; from how they do their business, work with their vendors, engage the customer, commit their coworkers and develop cause related marketing.
IKEA continually works closely with our staff to develop, as well as fund, programs that are making life better for impoverished children and families. IKEA has extended this partnership to its customers - giving them opportunities to make real and lasting change for children in need. The success of the holiday soft toy promotion shows that IKEA's customers are eager to make a difference," commented Charles MacCormack, President, Save the Children.
Save the Children is the leading independent organization creating lasting change in the lives of children in need in the United States and around the world. Recognized for their commitment to accountability, innovation and collaboration, their work takes them into the heart of communities, where they help children and families help themselves. In the US, Save the Children ensures that children in need participate in quality literacy, nutrition and physical activity programs. In developing countries, they ensure that children can survive and thrive, and that their families and communities have the resources, and skills to enable them to do so. In emergency and crisis, this organization works for and with children at risk of hunger and malnutrition and those affected by natural disaster, war and conflict.
IKEA US supports Save the Children's efforts globally and in the US. We support global efforts through our annual Soft Toy sales activity. In the US IKEA supports Save the Children's Early Steps to School Success program which provides children and families in rural America with access to quality early learning from birth to age five - the most crucial period in children's cognitive, social and emotional development. These efforts take place primarily in the Home.
Save the Children is the national disaster relief partner for IKEA US, focusing on the unique needs of children during times of natural and man-made disasters. IKEA is commited to providing products for safe play areas and for other needs during disaster situations. For more information, go to www.SavetheChildren.org
UNICEF “IKEA’s successful soft toy campaign follows a long commitment to UNICEF programs for children in the developing world. We appreciate the extraordinary efforts of IKEA coworkers across the country who helped this year’s (2007) soft toy promotion exceed sales expectations, and helping to provide an education for thousands of children around the world.
IKEA has been a valued UNICEF partner since 1988 and is UNICEF’s largest corporate donor thanks to initiatives like the soft toy campaign. We thank IKEA for their valuable support and their commitment to saving and improving the lives of women and children around the world,” commented Caryl M. Stern, President and CEO, US for UNICEF.
For 60 years, UNICEF has been the world's leader for children, working on the ground in 156 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
UNICEF and IKEA have been global partners since 1998 but the UNICEF and IKEA US partnership is even longer, starting in 1988. IKEA US has sold UNICEF holiday cards for many years, donating 100% of the sales price plus $1 per pack. Since 2004, UNICEF has also received 50% of the donations from the annual holiday IKEA Soft toy campaign,, "1 dollar is a fortune". In 2007, the US sold over 500,000 soft toys. For more information, go to www.unicefusa.org
