Reducing waste at home: our zero-waste tips
Household waste is a global problem, with one billion meals wasted every day*. Even when you’re careful, daily life at home still generates waste. Sorting recyclables and organizing your refrigerator are two ways to reduce waste and make your home a little tidier—all while saving money.
* According to the UNEP’s 2024 Food Waste Index Report, each person wastes an average of 79 kg of food each year, which is equivalent to one billion meals.
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Better preservation for better consumption
The more visible your food is, the less likely it is to be forgotten. Clear food storage containers can help you keep track of your food and reduce waste at home. To keep your kitchen tidy and functional, here’s how to properly organize your food storage containers.
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4 tips for reducing food waste
Plan your grocery shopping and meal prep
Planning your meals and snacks each week not only saves you time but also helps prevent food waste. Don’t forget to check what you already have on hand before you go shopping, or plan your meals so that you use up what’s in your pantry, fridge, or freezer. A little inspiration… Here’s how to pack your lunchboxes for the week!
Save Your Leftovers
Turn your leftovers into an asset by storing them smartly. Our airtight containers let you enjoy an affordable and delicious lunch the next day, no matter where you are.
Seal tightly and store in the freezer
Zipper bags can help you reduce food waste in your daily life. Many foods are sold in packages containing multiple servings. If you don’t use the entire contents at once, seal the package with a zipper bag to keep it fresh or freeze it for later.
Make Your Food Last Longer
Got too much fruit or vegetables? Why not preserve them? Try making jams, pickles, and chutneys, and store them in glass jars or freeze them to use in smoothies. Vegetable peels, meanwhile, are perfect for broths, soups, and sauces. Find all the tableware and kitchen utensils you need right here!
Our initiative: reducing food waste in our stores
Reducing food waste is a priority for IKEA. Since 2016, we have reduced our food production waste (in grams per meal) by 60.5% in our IKEA stores, saving approximately 37.8 million servings of food.
4 Tips for Sorting Your Trash
Sort your trash with ease
Sorting trash is easier when each type of recyclable material has its own bin (whether freestanding or part of a set). This means less waste ends up in landfills and a tidier home to live in.
Sort your trash with ease
Sorting trash is easier when each type of recyclable material has its own bin (whether freestanding or part of a set). This means less waste ends up in landfills and a tidier home to live in.
Recycle in every room
It may be helpful to have a recycling bin in every room. After all, the closer the bin is, the more likely you are to use it. Get the whole family involved!
Recycle in every room
It may be helpful to have a recycling bin in every room. After all, the closer the bin is, the more likely you are to use it. Get the whole family involved!
Recycle in the bathroom, too
For many people, the bathroom is a difficult place to keep tidy. Put away shampoo and soap bottles, toilet paper rolls, and empty toothpaste tubes as soon as you’re done using them. By recycling regularly, you’ll keep your bathroom tidy.
Recycle in the bathroom, too
For many people, the bathroom is a difficult place to keep tidy. Put away shampoo and soap bottles, toilet paper rolls, and empty toothpaste tubes as soon as you’re done using them. By recycling regularly, you’ll keep your bathroom tidy.
Don't throw everything away
Not all waste is necessarily trash. Try growing seeds in old egg cartons or using old newspapers as wrapping paper, for example. Let your imagination run wild and think about the circular economy. How else could you use this waste?
Don't throw everything away
Not all waste is necessarily trash. Try growing seeds in old egg cartons or using old newspapers as wrapping paper, for example. Let your imagination run wild and think about the circular economy. How else could you use this waste?
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Enjoy your favorite drink in your favorite mug—no matter where you are
A travel bottle can be used as an infuser to make herbal teas, cold brew coffee, or your favorite tea. You can even add fruit to it. It’s washable and reusable.
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Store, Wash, Reuse
Are you preparing a meal in advance, or do you need to put leftovers in the fridge? By using a washable, reusable food container or lid, you can keep track of your food and reduce waste at home.
Refill and reuse
Instead of using disposable water bottles to quench your thirst, opt for a reusable bottle and refill it throughout the day.
