Energy & Resources

CLIMATE & ENERGY

Investing in renewable energy

Urgent action is needed to tackle climate change, which is why the Ingka Group is committed to generate as much renewable energy as it consumes in its operations by 2020, and aims to consume and purchase only renewable electricity by 2025, heating and cooling by 2030. Read more on ingka.com

A good life at home starts on the roof

Home solar from IKEA makes it possible for you as a homeowner to use the sun to power everyday life and manage electricity usage more efficiently. It gives more control of your energy bills while helping the planet with clean, renewable energy. However, up till now the cost of solar solutions has been out of reach for many. In order to fight climate change we have made our solar offer affordable and available for more people.

*Sales of solar panels in Japan are undecided.

Did you know solar panels can cut your electricity bills by up to 50%?

Did you know LED uses up to 85% less energy
than incandescent bulbs and last up to 20 years?

WOOD

We're big fans of wood

We love wood because it’s durable, renewable, recyclable and beautiful. As one of the largest users of wood in the retail sector, we always look for ways to use it wisely and to source it according to high set standards. Our long-term goal is that all wood will come from more sustainable sources, defined as recycled or FSC® certified wood, by 2020.

In 2017, we reached the goal of having 100% wood from more sustainable sources in countries with a history of challenges related to forest management.

PLATSA storage is durable and the quality is enhanced by using the right material at the right place for the right purpose. It uses far less raw material compared to solid constructions thanks to smart design and production solutions. A combination of different natural materials makes it lightweight which also saves on transport and simplifies handling.

SKOGSÅ worktop is made with a thin layer technique where a three-millimetre solid wood surface is placed on particle board. This gives a durable surface that can handle humidity well. Apart from the benefits in the kitchen, the thin layer technique requires less raw material than a solid worktop. Plus it weighs 20% less than solid wood, so reduces emissions in transportations, and is easier to carry and handle.

Already produced to strict standards, the wood in INDUSTRIELL chair, table and bench is treated with even more care and respect. We made it a point to use as much of each pine tree as we could, keeping imperfections like knots and changes in the grain and colour.

The EKORRE rocking-moose is made from rubberwood from responsibly managed forests in Asia. Instead of letting the wood become firewood for instance, we use it for furniture – and take better care of the planet’s resources by doing so.

Wood from more sustainable sources with FSC

FSC works to take care of the world’s forests through responsible forest management, making sure we have forests for all forever. Forests house over two-thirds of known terrestrial species, and are home to 80% of terrestrial biodiversity. Our work together with WWF and FSC contributes to protect ecosystems - and people’s livelihoods. We are one of the world’s largest buyers of FSC certified wood in the retail sector and are also part of founding FSC, together with WWF.

In addition to suppliers meeting our strict IWAY Forestry Standard, the volume of wood from more sustainable sources – recycled wood and wood from forests certified by the FSC – increased to 77% in 2017. We are aiming for 100% by 2020.

Working together with WWF on responsible forest management

We work with WWF and others to combat illegal logging and promote responsible timber trade. Beginning with five forest projects in seven countries in 2002, today, we collaborate in 14 countries on a variety of projects to support credible forest certification which benefit both people and the environment. The work includes mapping and protecting High Conservation Value Forests to secure biological and social forest values.

“We have chosen to partner with WWF to help us on our journey towards being People and Planet Positive”, says Mikhail Tarasov, Global forestry manager IKEA. “WWF has deep expertise in the fields of forestry and timber market, and since wood is an important raw material for IKEA, it makes WWF a natural partner to help support and challenge us towards our ambitious sustainability goals.”

Sow A Seed: celebrating 20 years of
recreating nature

In 1983, more than 18,500 hectares of rainforest in Sabah in the north-eastern part of Borneo was destroyed by fire. Today 12,500 hectares (an area equal to 26,000 football fields) of rainforest has been brought back to life. Orangutans and baby elephants have rediscovered their natural habitat. And researchers around the world have been offered a unique insight into forest regeneration in what could be the biggest rainforest restoration project in the world.

And it all started with a simple desire: to make something better.

COTTON

100% committed to sustainable cotton

Cotton is one of our most important raw materials. You’ll find it in many products, from sofas and cushions to bed sheets and mattresses. Although we love working with cotton, we are uncomfortable with the fact that growing cotton in the conventional way is often harmful to the environment and the people involved. We have made a commitment to only use cotton grown in a responsible way in our products, for the benefit of our customers and the planet.

Since September 1st 2015, all the cotton in our products comes from more sustainable sources. We are pleased to have reached our 100% target, but we aren't satisfied and won't stop there. We are committed to creating a positive change throughout the entire cotton industry – more sustainable cotton needs to become a mainstream material beyond our business.

Since September 1st 2015, all the cotton we use for IKEA products comes from more sustainable sources. This means that the cotton is either recycled, or grown with less water, chemical fertiliser and pesticides.

Cotton grown with care – your choice matters

When caring for your loved ones by creating a home with more sustainable cotton products, you are teaming up with us by choosing cotton grown with respect for people. This also means you are contributing to the well-being of cotton farmers and their families, and a less polluted world for your child to grow up in. Together, we can make a difference!

When making yourself comfortable with TOVSIPPA bed linen at night, don’t forget to feel good about having contributed to the wellbeing of the farmers that grew the cotton it’s made from. All cotton at IKEA is grown with less water, less fertilisers and less pesticides, while increasing profit margins for the farmers.

We believe that you shouldn’t have to compromise on either price, quality, function, design or sustainability when decorating your home, that’s why any cotton choice you make at IKEA is a better one. SKÄGGÖRT fabric, for example, is made from 100% more sustainable cotton.

The soft, pale shades of beige, pink and blue of DVALA bed linen in pure cotton, are made with a new dyeing technique that uses pigment colours. The technique saves on chemicals, energy and water – in fact, we’re saving over 200 million litres of precious water per year thanks to this, enough to make a good night’s sleep even better.

We are constantly looking for new ways to reduce the environmental footprint we leave behind. ISPIGG cotton cushion cover woven from mostly non-dyed and non-bleached yarn, is one of them. We just love creating responsibly sourced products that are both beautiful and affordable.

Becoming water positive

Cotton is one of the most high-impact crops when it comes to water. At IKEA, we are committed to being water positive, using it as efficiently as possible, promoting water stewardship throughout and beyond our own sphere of operations and on into the wider world.

Based on WWF’s water stewardship model, we are working to reduce the impact of our own operations and our suppliers’ operation, supporting sustainable water management in river basins and increasing people’s access to clean water. Our work to become water positive focuses on cotton, providing farmers with training on better water management practices, and establishing community-based Water User Associations. This means farmers grow with less water, so more water can be diverted to other uses.

WOOL

We want all our rugs to be made from sustainable wool

IKEA wants to have a positive impact on people, animals and the planet, that’s why we’re on a journey to transform all the wool we use in our products to 100% Responsibly Sourced Wool. We will do this by sourcing wool which follows the ‘Responsible Wool Standard’ (RWS) guideline, meaning that the wool only comes from sheep that are treated with respect, and the land where they eat and rest is managed responsibly.

Making Responsibly Sourced Wool available for everyone

We are committed to transforming all our wool to 100% Responsibly Sourced Wool by 2025. But that’s not enough. Rafael Elizondo, Category Manager for Textile Carpets at IKEA says “We want others to join us and help us transform the wool industry together. Ultimately, what we’re after is to make responsibly sourced wool affordable, for as many customers as possible.”

Respect – in every step

Once the wool has travelled from New Zealand to India, it’s combed, spun into yarn, dyed and transformed into beautiful, handwoven rugs by skilled artisans. These steps follow strict processes that respect both the workers and the environment.

PLASTIC

Only recycled or renewable based plastic in IKEA products by 2030

Plastic is everywhere for many reasons. It’s a strong, durable, lightweight, and versatile – yet low cost – material. But when plastic is not disposed of responsibly, the environmental implications become concerning.

IKEA is committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet. Our ambition is that by 2030, all plastic used in our products will be based on renewable or recycled material. We’ve already started our journey towards this goal with a plan to replace single-use plastic in our range and by using different kinds of sustainable plastic in an increasing number of products.

Phasing out single-use plastic

We want to contribute to a world without waste and enable people to make more sustainable choices. The ambition that all plastic used in the IKEA home furnishing range will be based on renewable or recycled material by 2030 is an important part of our sustainability strategy, People and Planet Positive.

Phasing out single-use plastic from the home furnishing range and our restaurants, cafes, and bistros is one of many things we’ll do to contribute towards reducing plastic pollution from single-use items. By 2020, articles like straws, cutlery, cups, and plates will be replaced by disposables made from 100% renewable sources.

A recyclable plastic to feel good about

We want to make more sustainable plastic products our customers can enjoy and love. Made from renewable sources like corn, sugar beet and sugar cane instead of virgin fossil based, PLA is an example of a plastic which makes this possible.

WATER

Treating water with respect

Water is necessary for life – but clean, fresh water is something of a luxury in some parts of the world. That is why water, both when it comes to quantity and quality, is an important issue for IKEA and our suppliers. We aim to become water positive by promoting water stewardship throughout our value chain. By working with others, we will contribute to improved water management and awareness on water issues in all areas where we operate, focusing on both water use and water quality. This is just the start. Through our continued efforts and by working with WWF, we are on the way to being better water stewards.

VALUE, NOT WASTE

Thinking in circles

At IKEA, we always look for ways to make more from less. But to help our customers create a better life at home, in a world where resources are scarce, we have to up our game. We need to rethink everything from the materials we use, to how we power our stores, and how we can make our products live longer in a cycle of repair, reuse, and recycling.

Throughout our value chain, we aim to use resources as efficiently as possible to make sure that we create value, rather than waste. And by 2030, we aim to ensure that all our products are based on renewable or recycled materials. And when you bring the products home, we want to help you make them live longer, or give them a new life when you no longer need them.

Being made from sugarcanes, the bioplastic in ISTAD is both renewable
and recyclable.

Doing things right from the start

To make the world a more sustainable place we have to begin somewhere.By planning for our products’ next life at the design stage, we get a head start.To make more from less, we also use materials that are renewable and recycled and from more sustainable sources. And by 2030, we aim for all our products to be designed to be easy to care for, repair, reuse, repurpose and recycle. The better we do this, the better for people and the planet.

A second, third or even fourth life. Maybe your new PLATSA storage will start its life as a media bench in the living room, to then transform into a wardrobe under the slanting ceiling of the bedroom ─ and then a few years later become the home to all outerwear in your new hallway. With PLATSA storage system, we wanted to create a simple, yet beautiful, solution that can follow you on all the winding roads of life.

PLATSA takes flexibility to a whole new level. So, instead of letting space be a limitation, this lightweight storage system optimises the space you have. It opens up to build under, above or around - mixing functions and styles as you wish. PLATSA uses wedge dowels, a click-technique that drastically reduces time taken to assemble and disassemble. We think this prolongs the life of your PLATSA and goes hand in hand with a more sustainable lifestyle.

Old materials, new surfaces. We don’t like throwing things away. We see waste for what it really is – a resource – and look for ways to use more recycled materials in our products. That’s why we created the REINSVOLL wardrobe door. It’s made of recycled wood covered with plastic foil made from recycled PET bottles. No new wood needed, and no new plastic made from oil. And although REINSVOLL is a sustainable choice, of course it doesn’t compromise on quality, design or price.

Made from sugar cane, ISTAD is based on renewable material. It is also recyclable.

Can 1,4 billion re-sealable plastic bags make a difference? We hope so, as we proudly present our first ever large-scale plastic product based on renewable material. It’s the all-round plastic bag ISTAD that is now made mostly (85%) of a renewable material from the sugar cane industry. The shift is expected to save around 75 000 barrels of oil yearly, helping us to reduce our carbon footprint.
And, although plastic based on renewable material costs more to produce than conventional plastic, it won’t show on the price tag. At IKEA we believe that everyone, not just a few, should be able to afford making sustainable choices.

Wipe your shoes on recycled PET bottles. Using waste as a resource takes us one step closer to a more sustainable future. Six PET bottles are used to make one sturdy MEJLS doormat, perfect for hallways and other hardworking areas of your home.

A brighter future. With a RORSLEV doormat mostly made from recycled PET bottles instead of new raw materials, you can feel good about having contributed to leaving a smaller footprint on the environment, as well as getting fewer footprints in your hallway.

Marrying ethics and aesthetics. Can you believe that this poetic HANNALENA curtain, was once PET bottles that would otherwise end up as waste? They’re recycled into polyester fibers with a technique that uses no chemicals or extra water.

No ordinary box. One person’s trash is another person’s treasure. The practical storage box KUGGIS is made from 70% recycled PET plastic bottles. It is one of those gems. Flexible, good looking and recyclable, it will be your best friend for storage – over and over again.

Towards zero waste

At IKEA Group we have decided to eliminate waste from all our operations and to be energy independent by 2020. This is no small feat, but together with suppliers, partners and customers we have the goal within reach.
IKEA of Sweden is also working through the whole supply chain with suppliers and partners to produce and distribute our products in the most efficient way. This includes minimizing waste in our value chain, and turning it into a resource by using it to make new products.

Did you know?

In 2017, 83% of waste is recycled or energy recovered across our operations.

The beauty of broken glass. The glass used to produce the IKEA PS 2017 vase has a story to tell. Having been rejected in its first life due to bubbles or other defects,
the broken glass is re-melted and mouth blown by skilled craftsmen into mass-produced items. Yet the character of each piece of glass lives on, bringing
a unique mix of colours and patterns to each vase. By re-using the glass instead of discarding it as waste, we save on valuable and limited resources, while bringing
extra character to your home.

Step on it. TÅNUM is hand-made, giving each rug its own individual beauty. And even better – we use recycled cotton from our own operations to make it. More than 90% of the material used is leftover fabric from bed linen production. When you step on a TÅNUM rug you leave a smaller environmental footprint.

Give things another chance

At IKEA we want our customers to love and care for our products as long as possible – and even if they don’t, we do. Across our network of stores we try smarter and more planet-friendly ways to prolong the life of our products. In Belgium for example, we offer our customers five options to give furniture a second life: selling old IKEA-furniture in the store, renewing it by repainting or reassembling, repairing by offering replacement parts, returning old furniture through our transport service and donating to social organisations.

On a global basis we offer all customers replacement parts, and most markets have mattress takeback initiatives where you can return your old mattress when buying a new one. Seize the opportunity to breathe new life into your old furniture or give it a new life in our care.

Food you can feel good about

We want to offer affordable food that’s delicious, sustainable and nutritionally balanced. That’s why we include a variety of more sustainable and healthier options at our IKEA Restaurants, IKEA Bistros and IKEA Swedish Food Markets. We select the ingredients we use for our food carefully – which is also why we work with certifications to ensure our products meet standards of environmental and social responsibility. And we are also working hard to minimise the amount of food waste in our stores.

Help coffee growers give you better coffee

IKEA coffee beans come from family farms and small-scale cooperatives in countries like Honduras, Mexico, and Peru. The coffee is both UTZ certified and organically grown according to EU standards without the use of chemicals and pesticides. UTZ works to improve a number of areas for farmers, including growing methods. This helps to lower costs and increase crop quality and yields, which improves the livelihoods of farmers. Workers get a better income and farmers get a fairer share of the profits. It means their children can go to school and have time for play too.

You get great coffee, and the growers get a better income

Since 2008, all coffee sold and served at IKEA has been UTZ certified. The certification was a positive step towards better coffee, ensuring sustainable farming standards, better conditions and traceability back to the plantation. But it was just the beginning of the journey to create truly sustainable and delicious beans. Now, the coffee beans are organic too.

“Building on UTZ we also wanted our beans to be organically grown, meaning without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides”, says Jacqueline Macalister, responsible for Health and Sustainability at IKEA Food.
“This means healthier soils and less impact on the climate. Also, farmers are paid more for organic crops. That way they improve their livelihood while at the same time they’re safeguarding the environment.”

PÅTÅR special edition:
Coffee that is building a better future

IKEA coffee beans have so far come from family farms and small-scale cooperatives in countries like Honduras, Mexico, and Peru, but the beans of our PÅTÅR single-origin 100% Arabica coffee are hand-picked in the lush, mountainous White Nile region in Uganda. To help support economic independence of coffee farmers in Uganda, as well as more sustainable farming practices, IKEA has teamed up with a social business project that buys the beans directly from about 13,000 smallholder farmers. Through this partnership, the farmers get a more stable income and they can send their children to school, building a better future for themselves and for the whole region.

Organic and UTZ is a good combination

All the coffee that we serve and sell in the IKEA Swedish Food Market, IKEA Bistro and the IKEA Restaurant is both organic according to EU standards and UTZ certified. The tasty beans meet strict, independent requirements to ensure sustainable farming standards and better conditions for workers. You can even trace the origin of the coffee that you buy, at utz.org/IKEA

BELÖNING – chocolate that makes a difference

BELÖNING is a new series of premium quality dark chocolate and milk chocolate products, made from UTZ certified cocoa.

UTZ certified means the cocoa was responsibly grown, with sustainable farming standards, good conditions for workers and respect for the environment. The product with dark chocolate and coffee nibs is organic because we use the nibs from our own coffee production, which also is organic and UTZ. To trace the origin of the cocoa in BELÖNING, visit utz.org/IKEA.

Better farming, better future

Look out for the UTZ logo on our coffee, tea and cocoa products – UTZ certified stands for sustainable farming and better opportunities for farmers, their families and our planet. The UTZ program enables farmers to learn better farming methods, improve working conditions and take better care of their children and the environment. Through the UTZ-program farmers grow better crops, generate more income and create better opportunities while safeguarding the environment and securing the earth’s natural resources. Now and in the future.

We are working hard to ensure that all of our chicken products are sourced to good animal welfare standards and meet the criteria of the IKEA Food Better Chicken Programme by 2025.

Supporting a more sustainable agriculture and better animal welfare

We believe in a new vision for the food industry. One which positively impacts the lives of people, the planet and also the lives of animals. The goal is to source fewer animals and to make sure those we do source are raised responsibly. We believe that animals should live decent lives. And that’s why we’ve been working together with experts, NGO’s and our suppliers to develop the IKEA Food Better Programmes. For all animals in our supply chain around the world - pigs, salmon, beef and dairy cattle, laying hens or broiler chickens - we aim to source from more sustainable farms where animal welfare, environmental impact, and responsible antibiotics use is a priority.

Responsibly sourced seafood

Healthy and tasty fish make for healthy and happy customers. That’s why IKEA was part of a dialogue with global environmental experts to develop responsible salmon farming standards that are better for the fish and for the environment. All IKEA salmon comes from farms that are certified to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) standards.

Making pearls from seaweed

Seaweed pearls are an environmentally friendly product, being made from kelp that’s available in the ocean. And kelp is a sustainable plant form too, growing at a rate of up to 50 cm per day. Our seaweed pearls are a great vegan caviar substitute, and don’t contribute to the depletion of fish stocks, as no fish eggs are taken as raw materials.

Seafood you and your grandchildren can enjoy

All wild-caught fish and shrimps served and sold at IKEA come from fisheries which are independently certified to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards. When you enjoy MSC certified seafood you can be sure you are supporting sustainable fishing and protecting seafood supplies for generations to come.

Enjoy veggies in a tasty ball

The development of a vegetable ball was driven by the fact that IKEA, as a responsible business, wanted to develop the food range to contain more sustainable products. Our vegetable balls are packed with fresh ingredients, such as chickpeas, green peas, carrots, bell peppers, corn and kale. You’ll enjoy a nutritious meal that is full of protein and nutrients. Plus, they come with a lower carbon footprint. All in all, they’re a delicious alternative to our iconic meatballs.

Moving towards zero waste

At IKEA, we think food should not be wasted, which is why we decided to work toward big goals: By the end of August 2020, we aim to halve food waste at IKEA. And further, 90% of all food waste should be recycled or turned into a resource such as compost or biogas.