Published 05 June 2019 • Inter IKEA newsroom
Announcing design collections made from waste
During Democratic Design Days, IKEA presented and announced several initiatives towards becoming people and planet positive. These include a new collection using waste plastic recovered from the Mediterranean, a prototype plant-based alternative to the meatball and an urban plant-growing collaboration with designer Tom Dixon.
“People want to live in more sustainable ways and our ambition is to make sustainable living affordable, attractive and inspiring for the many people,” says Torbjörn Lööf, CEO of Inter IKEA Group. “That’s why, together with others, we are exploring many new and exciting solutions.”
Sustainable living solutions and initiatives shared at Democratic Design Days 2019:
New initiatives:
- MUSSELBLOMMA – a collection made partly from recovered ocean plastic, which for now comes from the Mediterranean Sea. Launching in selected markets in 2019.
- Recycled polyester – as a step towards becoming a circular business IKEA aims at replacing all virgin polyester textile products with recycled polyester by 2020.
- A new collaboration with the World Surf League (WSL), a partnership where IKEA and WSL will team up for a project to raise awareness about the climate challenge and inspire action to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans.
- Climate and clean air - IKEA joining the Climate and Clean Air Coalition to share learnings from the Better Air Now initiative and scale up solutions to crop residue burning and reducing air pollution
Recently announced and ongoing initiatives:
- SAMMANLÄNKAD – a collection with Little Sun and its founder, artist Olafur Eliasson. The ambition behind the collection is to offer inspiring everyday tools where renewable energy contributes to a sustainable and independent life.
- Alternative meatball - a prototype of the new alternative meatball, made from plant-based proteins and with a meat-like look, taste and texture.
- Urban Growing – a preview of the collaboration with Tom Dixon to explore affordable and forward- thinking solutions for growing plants and vegetables at home.
- FÖRÄNDRING – a collection made of rice straw, a harvesting residue that is traditionally burned, contributing to local air pollution. Launching in selected markets in autumn 2019.
“From our own history we know that challenges can lead to opportunities and amazing innovations,” says Lena Pripp Kovac, Head of Sustainability, Inter IKEA Group. “For many years, sustainability has been an integrated part of our business and how we design products. To take the next step on our journey to inspire and develop better everyday living for the many people, we are further tackling wasteful consumption. This, of course, we can only do by collaborating with others to solve some of the biggest challenges we face together.”
*The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) is a voluntary partnership of governments, intergovernmental organizations, businesses, scientific institutions and civil society organizations committed to improving air quality and protecting the climate through actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants.