IKEA Australia publishes 2022 Sustainability Report, launches Australia-first Sustainable Living Shop and brings back Green Friday

IKEA Australia is aiming to help customers live more sustainably and as a result, potentially make savings on their household expenses, with the launch of its Australian-first Sustainable Living Shop. 

The Sustainable Living Shop is a new shop within a shop format rolling out across all 10 IKEA stores nationwide by early 2023. It is a dedicated section of the store where customers can find products designed to help reduce their climate footprint at home by using less energy and creating less waste , while potentially saving them money longer term; like the SOLHETTA LED light bulb which lasts 25,000 hours meaning it only needs to be replaced every 20 years (when used 3 hours/day) and is 35% more energy efficient on average than previous IKEA LED bulbs.

Other cost-saving, environmentally friendly IKEA products on offer for customers include LADDA rechargeable batteries and TRÅDFRI LED home smart lighting systems for energy-saving lighting control. To reduce the need for heating and cooling, HOPPVALS cellular blind has special insulation technology to trap heat, and REXBEGONIA cooling pads and ROSENVIAL mattress protectors help for a temperature-controlled sleep. There are also induction cooktops for energy-efficient cooking, a range of water saving showerheads and taps and home solar systems. 

The introduction of this new offering comes at a time of increasing cost-of-living pressures. Despite some of the cost saving benefits associated with habits such as energy saving lightbulbs, or reducing food waste, a recent survey* conducted by IKEA Australia revealed over half of Aussies (52%) believe living sustainably would increase their cost of living. The research also revealed that 60% of Aussies think they should adopt more sustainable practices in their home, however over a third are holding back from making their home more sustainable due to cost. So how much is the price for adopting sustainable habits in the home? Aussies say they would have to see an average return on investment of $55 per week to consider being more sustainable.

The survey was conducted as part of IKEA Australia’s annual Sustainability Report, which has also been released this week. The report outlines IKEA Australia’s sustainability initiatives and achievements from the past 12 months, as well as goals for the future. It also includes suggestions and inspiration of IKEA products to help Aussies live more sustainably.  The report is available to read now on the IKEA website at www.ikea.com.au/sustainability. 

Mellisa Hamilton, Country Sustainability Manager, IKEA Australia said, “Right now, the cost of living, energy and food are all rapidly increasing and we understand the challenges consumers face when it comes to living sustainably at home. There’s still a perception that introducing sustainable products or habits in the home will cost too much, but it’s quite the opposite. There’s never been a better time to help Aussies to reduce their climate footprint at home with affordable products and low-cost solutions from IKEA which can also save them money longer term.”

In addition to the launch of the Sustainable Living Shop, as an antidote to the estimated record $6.2 billion Aussies are estimated to spend over the Black Friday/ Cyber Monday weekend starting Friday 25 November, IKEA is bringing back its popular Green Friday promotion to ‘save more than money’.   

Green Friday lets customers receive an additional 50% on a refund card when they trade in their pre-loved IKEA furniture between 21 November – 31 December 2022. Customers can expect great savings on iconic IKEA items - including up to $186 back from the ALEX Desk, up to $89 back from the BILLY Bookcase, up to $118 back from the MALM Dresser and up to $284 back from the HEMNES TV Bench.  

“In Australia, last year’s Green Friday saw over 3,000 products returned to be resold and have a second life in a new home, diverting approximately 29 tonnes of product waste from landfill,” said Mellisa.

“A recent survey we conducted* revealed that 92% of Aussies recycle and nearly 1 in 3 Aussie’s believe recycling is the single most important thing they can do to live more sustainably, yet only 35% of Aussies source secondhand furniture. We hope providing end-to-end services such as Buy Back and As-is, will help Aussies see the secondhand furniture market as a great way to live a more sustainable life at home.” 

To trade in furniture this Green Friday, customers can use the online estimator on the IKEA website, before taking their assembled IKEA furniture into an IKEA store, to then receive an IKEA refund card. To be eligible for the Green Friday promotion, customers must be IKEA Family members (it’s free to join) and must generate a quote between 21 November - 9 December 2022 and return the furniture between 21 November – 31 December 2022.

About the research: This study was commissioned by IKEA Australia conducted online between the 22nd – 29th September 2022 by Decibel. The sample comprised of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 Australians aged 18 years and older. Decibel designed the questionnaire. Following the completion of interviewing, the data was weighted by age, gender and region to reflect the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics population estimates. 

About SOLHETTA LED light bulbs:SOLHETTA bulbs last 25,000 hours and are 35% more energy efficient on average than previous IKEA LED bulbs. This bulb only needs to be replaced every 20 years on average (when used for three hours a day). Save on both electricity consumption and bulb replacement. From $3/ 2 pack.