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Guides to more sustainable, eco-friendly living

Reducing waste, saving energy and water, plus taking care of what you already have – these are a few ways to conserve resources and perhaps save money at home. Your small, everyday actions all add up.

So here are some ideas to get you started. And we can make an impact, together.

Recycling bins on a green shelving unit with cabinet against a grey wall next to a rack from which hang carrier bags.
Recycling bins on a green shelving unit with cabinet against a grey wall next to a rack from which hang carrier bags.

How to manage waste at home

A certain amount of waste is simply a fact of life. But there are ways to reduce the amount of waste you generate at home, which can help you to save on resources – and get a well-organised home at the same time. Start simple with sorting plastic, metal cans, glass jars or any recyclable materials that you often dispose of. Easily identify each group with the three colours of our durable DIMPA waste sorting bags. 50% of each bag is made from Polypropylene (PP), a form of recycled plastic that gives the product several lives through use and reuse.

See the waste guide
Three DIMPA waste sorting bags – in white, dark grey, and light grey – are placed under an IVAR wooden shelf unit. Price tag reads: DIMPA waste sorting bag. IKEA Family price: $9 for 3 pieces. Usual price slashed with a red line: $12.90 for 3 pieces.
See the waste guide

How to save energy at home

Energy is usually a major expense for every household. Fortunately, there are some easy things you can do to use your energy smarter – and sometimes to cut the costs too. LED bulbs – like this built-in LED light source in the SINNERLIG table lamp – use 85% less electricity than the traditional light bulb. You'd love that this lamp is dimmable and can last about 20 years if the lamp is on for 3 hours per day! (Plus, the lamp shade is made of bamboo, a sustainable material.)

See the energy guide
A SINNERLIG LED table lamp – featuring a handmade bamboo lampshade in a cylinder shape – is placed on a bedside table. It is lit dimly. IKEA Family price: $45. Usual price slashed with a red line: $49.90.
See the energy guide
A woman lies down comfortably on a firm ÅKREHAMN foam mattress. The internal layers/structure of the mattress are also shown. Text reads: ÅKREHAMN foam mattress. IKEA Family price: $449. Usual price slashed with a red line: $499.

Turning waste into mattresses – for a second life

Do you know: we have some mattresses made from sustainable or recyclable materials? The ticking and inner cover of the ÅKREHAMN foam mattress is made of recycled polyester.

When we make products from recycled polyester, PET bottles and other non-biodegradable sources of polyester get a new life in products like mattresses, pillows, storage boxes, kitchen fronts and even lamps.

When using them, you get to enjoy exactly the same quality and function. And naturally, they’re just as clean and safe in every way.

And perhaps the very best part – you contribute to using less new raw materials too.

How to use less and reuse more

For many disposable products, there’s often a reusable alternative. And that can be more economical, as well as less wasteful. One rechargeable LATTA battery is equivalent to 500 disposable alkaline batteries that would be thrown away. Time to switch?

See the reusable guide
A grey-green STENKOL / LADDA battery charger is filled with four AA-size batteries with the text "+ LADDA 2450, AA". It is placed on a birch-colour table top. Text reads: STENKOL / LADDA battery charger and 4 batteries. IKEA Family price: $22. Usual price slashed with a red line: $24.80.
See the reusable guide

How to give furniture a longer life

Are you sure that piece of furniture has no further use? We have some tips on how to prolong the life – and maximise the value – of what you already own. For instance, you can oil your APTITLIG bamboo chopping board at least once a month, to keep it looking new and extend its usage.

See the furniture guide
A bamboo-made APTITLIG chopping board is used while a person slices an onion. Text reads: APTITLIG chopping board, bamboo. IKEA Family price: $8.50. Usual price slashed with a red line: $9.90.
See the furniture guide

How to save water at home

In many areas, fresh water can be a scarce resource. With some simple household products and habits, you can cut down on what goes to waste. Did you know our LAGAN integrated dishwasher has a function that detects how dirty the dishes are and adjusts the water volume based on this? Our dishwasher saves both water and energy, compared to hand washing which usually requires 5 times as much water. (And you can save up too – get this dishwasher with an IKEA Family offer in-store!)

See the water guide
Integrated into a kitchen storage system, a LAGAN integrated dishwasher is filled with plates, utensils, mugs, saucers and wine glasses. Text reads: LAGAN integrated dishwasher. IKEA Family price: $790. Usual price slashed with a red line: $850.
See the water guide

How to eat and grow your home farm more sustainably

The choices that you make around food can make a difference. Luckily, smart food options can also be tasty ones!

See the food guide
A person sprinkles chopped green herbs on to HUVUDROLL plant balls in a IKEA 365+ frying pan on a hob.
See the food guide
A NORDKISA open wardrobe with sliding door, made of bamboo, is placed in front of a bed in a bedroom. It has a clothes hanger compartment filled with clothes; three shelves filled with a pile of neatly-folded towels, a hat, and a handbag; as well as three other shelves partially concealed with a sliding door. Price tag reads: NORDKISA open wardrobe with sliding door, bamboo. IKEA Family price: $379. Usual price slashed with a red line: $429.

Bamboo – a sustainable material

IKEA products that feature bamboo are mainly made from two parts of the plant - the bottom and the middle. Lamellae are used for panels in accessories and furniture, and wickers are used for handicraft techniques such as rolling and weaving.

Renewable, recyclable, water-resistant and durable, bamboo is one of the world's fastest-growing and self-regenerating raw materials. It even produces twice as much oxygen as other wood species. 

There's so much more to bamboo than what we think there is.

Learn more about bamboo

See all Sustainability items on IKEA Family offer (in-store only)

See the full list

Here's more about the materials in our products

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