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Simple ways to reduce waste at home​

Household waste is a global problem. Even when you live frugally, there’s always waste at home. Sorting recyclables and organising the fridge are two ways to help reduce waste – as well as making your home a little tidier you may save money too.

A light grey HÅLLBAR bin with lid

Reduce waste at home

When it comes food waste, seeing is knowing. Keeping food in clear containers can help you keep an eye on how much you have and lead to less food waste at home.

A rectangular/plastic IKEA 365+ food container with lid
A clear glass KORKEN jar with lid

Tips for reducing food waste​

Plan your shop and cook your plan ​

Planning your meals or snacks for the week can not only save time but can save on food waste too. ​Remember, before you shop, check the ingredients you already have or plan your meals to use what’s in your pantry, fridge or freezer.​

Save some for later​​

Leftovers can make great lunches – so, get smart about storing them. A leak-proof lunch box can give you a cheap and tasty lunch on the go the next day.​​

Clip it up and pop it in the freezer​

A simple sealing clip can help to reduce the amount of wasted food in your everyday life. Many foods come in larger packages than we need. So, when you don’t need to use it all at one time, seal it up to help keep it fresh or freeze it for later. ​

Make food go further​​

Have too much fruit and veg? Why not preserve them? Try making jams, pickles and chutneys and store them in glass jars or freeze them for smoothies. Also, vegetable peels are perfect for broths, soups and stews.

 

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What we're doing! Reducing food waste in our stores

Reducing food waste is a priority at IKEA. Since 2016, we have cut production food waste (grams per cover) at IKEA stores by 60.5%, saving around 37.8 million portions of food.

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Tips for sorting waste​

The image displays a tidy storage area with a wooden shelving unit on the left side, containing various items such as terracotta pots, a green watering can, and some cans of paint. In front of the shelving unit are two gray fabric bins with white outlines of a battery and a cardboard box printed on them, suggesting they are for recycling specific types of waste.

Get your waste sorting sorted​​

Sorting is easier if each type of recyclable material has a dedicated container – either freestanding or built into a larger solution. Less waste to landfill, and a tidier home too.

A light grey HAVSTORP drawer front

Recycle in the bathroom​

For many, the bathroom is a difficult place to keep on top of. Gather up empty shower bottles, toilet paper rolls and toothpaste tubes, as soon as you finish them. More recycling means a tidier bathroom.​

A clear glass BLANDA serving bowl in the kitchen

Recycle in every room​

Setting up a recycling solution in every room makes sense. The closer a bin is to where you are, the more likely you are to use it. Involve the whole family while you’re at it!​

A clear glass SESAMFRÖN plant mister outside

Don’t throw it all away​

Waste isn’t always waste. Try growing seeds in old egg boxes or using newspaper as gift-wrap, for instance. Think outside the box, how else could it be used?​

A person’s torso is shown wearing a grey sweater, holding a French press coffee maker with freshly brewed coffee. The French press is being tilted to pour coffee into a cup, which is not visible in the frame. The kitchen background features modern, clean lines with a white countertop and cabinets.

Enjoy your favourite drink with your favourite mug – wherever you are​

A travel mug can be used as an infusion bottle with fruits, to make herbal beverages, cold-brewed coffee, or to brew your favourite tea on the go. Wash after use and it’s ready for the next time.

A stack of four clear, rectangular food storage containers with blue lids. From top to bottom, the containers are filled with green leafy vegetables, red cherries, green grapes, and yellow apricots. The containers are placed on a kitchen counter with a blurred background that suggests a home kitchen setting.

Store, wash and reuse​

Preparing a meal in advance, or need to put away leftovers in the fridge? By storing food in a container, or using a washable and reusable food cover, you can avoid using single-use plastic wrap or foil.​

A dark blue IKEA 365+ insert for food container

Refill and reuse​

Instead of buying a new bottle of water every time you get thirsty, try carrying a reusable water bottle and refilling it through your day. A great way to reduce single-use waste and make the most of what you have.​

Waste is precious

At IKEA, we regard waste as a resource. Today, 17% of our product range is made from recycled materials. And, at IKEA Malaysia, we do our part by recycling around 70% of the waste our stores generate. We offer recycling facilities that enable all our customers to do their part, too. Together, we can make a big difference.

Check out our recycling facilities:

IKEA Cheras

i) Recycling station at B1 & B2
Recyclable materials: Textiles, Paper, Plastic, Aluminium tins, Battery, Light bulb

IKEA Damansara

Recycling station after Checkouts, Level G
Recyclable materials: Flourescent light bulb, Light bulb, Batteries, Plastic Bottle, Plastic-based Waste, Paper

IKEA Batu Kawan

Recycling station at Exchange & Return Area, Level 1
Recyclable materials: Paper, Plastic, Plastic bottle, Aluminium can, Battery, Light bulb

IKEA Cheras

ii) Recycling station at IKEA Café & Bistro
Recyclable materials: Food waste, Glass, Paper

IKEA Tebrau

i) Recycling station nearby IKEA Café & Smaland, Level1
ii) Recycling station at Exchange & Return Area, Level 1
Recyclable materials: Paper, Plastic, Plastic bottle, Aluminium can, Battery, Light bulb

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*According to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024, each person wastes an average of 79 kg annually - the equivalent of one billion meals in total.

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