How we think about materials
IKEA assess and proactively addresses the environmental and social impact of the materials it uses.
Using recycled materials can support resource efficiency, help to decrease our dependency on virgin raw materials, reduce waste and ease pressure on natural resources.
To further increase the share of recycled content in our products, IKEA is innovating and developing ways to use recycled materials, while also focusing on securing availability, traceability and affordability of recycled materials.
The many qualities of wood
Wood is an excellent material from a design and quality perspective. It’s an important part of our Scandinavian design heritage.
Strong, recyclable metal
Metal is strong, durable and affordable. Many metals can be recycled repeatedly while retaining their essential properties.
Rethinking the plastics we use
We’ve phased out single-use plastic products from our home furnishing range and are eliminating plastic from our product packaging. Where possible, we are introducing recycled or renewable-based plastics as alternatives to virgin fossil-based plastics in specific product lines.
Cotton sourced to IWAY standards
The virgin cotton in our products is grown and harvested in compliance with IWAY, our supplier code of conduct, covering environmental and social requirements. We also use recycled cotton in our products and engage with industry partners on initiatives to support the wider availability of recycled cotton.
The many benefits of bamboo
Despite its appearance, bamboo isn’t a tree, it’s grass. A fast, naturally re-growing grass, which rarely needs to be replanted after being harvested for use. It is very versatile and can be processed into many different shapes.