Recycled materials at IKEA
Wood, metal, textiles and plastic – we’re on a journey to offer a range of products made from recycled materials. Discover how we develop innovative solutions without compromising on sustainability, affordability and desirability.
How IKEA is playing a part
Research shows that many people are likely to consider buying products made from recycled materials* – and IKEA is ready to meet this interest. Wood, metals, paper, textiles, glass, and plastics – these are just some of the materials used in IKEA products where recycled content plays an important role.
Through design principles, traceability and collaboration, we’re continually innovating how we use recycled materials. By doing so, we can help ease pressure on natural resources, decrease our dependency on virgin raw materials and reduce waste.
How IKEA is playing a part
Research shows that many people are likely to consider buying products made from recycled materials* – and IKEA is ready to meet this interest. Wood, metals, paper, textiles, glass, and plastics – these are just some of the materials used in IKEA products where recycled content plays an important role.
Through design principles, traceability and collaboration, we’re continually innovating how we use recycled materials. By doing so, we can help ease pressure on natural resources, decrease our dependency on virgin raw materials and reduce waste.
- Product information page
Recycled by design
Every product at IKEA starts as an idea inspired by insights from people’s lives at home. When our designers and engineers get to work, they are guided by the IKEA Democratic Design approach and its five key principles: function, form, quality, sustainability and low price.
Materials are a central aspect for each principle, and we want to take responsibility to proactively assess and address the environmental and social impact of the materials we choose. Part of that journey is increasing the share of recycled content. We consider how we can adapt product designs and production processes to replace virgin resources while maintaining quality, safety and affordability.
Take ÄNGSLILJA duvet cover, made with a blend of recycled and virgin cotton. The recycled cotton comes from production waste – trimmings after weaving. It’s a simple idea: take what would be waste and turn it into something beautiful and useful. The waste material is clean and of high quality – it hasn’t been worn, dyed or mixed with other materials, so it’s easier to turn back into new fibres.
“When we developed ÄNGSLILJA bed linen, we wanted it to feel fantastic to sleep in – soft and durable over time. To achieve that, we blend recycled cotton with virgin cotton. The recycled fibres help us reduce waste, while the virgin fibres add strength and durability. Together, they create the perfect balance between comfort and smart use of materials. And that balance is at the heart of how we develop every IKEA product.”
Commitment to recycled materials in our products
Many other products demonstrate our commitment to transitioning to recycled materials. To name just a few – SOLFIBBLA duvet cover is made from 100% cotton with a minimum 50% recycled content, TAGGHAJ frying pan contains no less than 70% recycled aluminium, ZEBRASÄV pendant lamp comes in polypropylene plastic with a minimum 50% recycled plastic and HÅLLBAR bins contain a minimum 50% recycled plastic.
Quality and safety of recycled materials
For every product we create, whether made with virgin or recycled materials, we consider chemical safety and compliance throughout the entire process. Our products and materials undergo risk assessments and testing – from the materials used in production to the daily use of the product.
Knowledge from the source
We want to ensure we can stand by our materials, know what they are made from and how they were produced. That’s why we put so much effort into traceability – we’re constantly improving our processes to get a clear overview of the life cycle of our recycled materials.
IKEA requires all suppliers to comply with IWAY, the IKEA Code of Conduct, which focuses on improving environmental and social impacts, including working conditions and the fair treatment of people involved across the value chain. For some materials, we also use third-party certifications, such as the Global Recycling Standard (GRS), to verify the recycled content.
Knowledge from the source
We want to ensure we can stand by our materials, know what they are made from and how they were produced. That’s why we put so much effort into traceability – we’re constantly improving our processes to get a clear overview of the life cycle of our recycled materials.
IKEA requires all suppliers to comply with IWAY, the IKEA Code of Conduct, which focuses on improving environmental and social impacts, including working conditions and the fair treatment of people involved across the value chain. For some materials, we also use third-party certifications, such as the Global Recycling Standard (GRS), to verify the recycled content.
Working towards formalising employment in the waste sector
The collection and management of waste materials is a major challenge worldwide and in some countries, the sector faces significant issues regarding working conditions for informal workers. IKEA is committed to contributing to improving this situation, but we can’t do it alone. We therefore partner with other organisations to accelerate change, such as the Fair Circularity Initiative, which helps to improve the rights of formal and informal workers in waste and recycling value chains.
In some countries, such as India, many workers in the informal waste sector are denied the most basic rights, such as minimum wages, formal contracts or protective gear. IKEA has partnered with Saahas Zero Waste in India to explore ways to improve standards and formalise employment in this deregulated sector. The initiative aims to improve working conditions, ensure fair wages for waste collectors and provide training, equipment and business skills to micro-entrepreneurs.
Working towards formalising employment in the waste sector
The collection and management of waste materials is a major challenge worldwide and in some countries, the sector faces significant issues regarding working conditions for informal workers. IKEA is committed to contributing to improving this situation, but we can’t do it alone. We therefore partner with other organisations to accelerate change, such as the Fair Circularity Initiative, which helps to improve the rights of formal and informal workers in waste and recycling value chains.
In some countries, such as India, many workers in the informal waste sector are denied the most basic rights, such as minimum wages, formal contracts or protective gear. IKEA has partnered with Saahas Zero Waste in India to explore ways to improve standards and formalise employment in this deregulated sector. The initiative aims to improve working conditions, ensure fair wages for waste collectors and provide training, equipment and business skills to micro-entrepreneurs.
“Our starting point was simple: we saw an opportunity in material that was already available, free and underused. If we could recycle it effectively, we could secure a stable material flow, strengthen the IKEA competitiveness, reduce the use of virgin wood and keep resources in a circular loop. I’m incredibly proud that the team made this a reality.”
Collaborating with our partners
IKEA collaborates with industrial partners, research institutes and universities to improve the processing of recycled plastics. We focus on refining techniques for collecting, sorting and cleaning recycled plastic raw materials to better separate plastic types, manage colour and odour and minimise contamination, thereby improving the purity and quality.
As an active voice in advocating for industry development and improvement of the regulatory frameworks to support recycled materials and circularity, IKEA participates in several industry forums and working groups. For example, Textile Exchange and Plastics Recyclers Europe, UN Plastic Treaty and consultation groups for the EU Circular Economy Act and EU Clean Industrial Deal, as well as various global Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and standard-setting groups (e.g. ISO, CEN). This helps secure harmonised, clear and robust rules driving the development of a circular society.
Collaborating with our partners
IKEA collaborates with industrial partners, research institutes and universities to improve the processing of recycled plastics. We focus on refining techniques for collecting, sorting and cleaning recycled plastic raw materials to better separate plastic types, manage colour and odour and minimise contamination, thereby improving the purity and quality.
As an active voice in advocating for industry development and improvement of the regulatory frameworks to support recycled materials and circularity, IKEA participates in several industry forums and working groups. For example, Textile Exchange and Plastics Recyclers Europe, UN Plastic Treaty and consultation groups for the EU Circular Economy Act and EU Clean Industrial Deal, as well as various global Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and standard-setting groups (e.g. ISO, CEN). This helps secure harmonised, clear and robust rules driving the development of a circular society.
- Product information page
Fast facts about recycled materials
This is how we define recycled materials at IKEA:
Recycled material: Material that has been reprocessed from recovered material using a manufacturing process and made into a final product or a component for a product.
Pre-consumer material: Material is diverted from going to waste during a manufacturing process. For example, leftover textile cuttings that can be made into new fabric, or wood offcuts, which we can use to make fibreboard for new furniture.
Post-consumer material: Waste material generated by end-users in households or industries where the product can no longer be used for its intended purpose. For example, used plastic packaging (e.g. bottles) that’s collected after use, shredded and recycled into new recycled plastics or polyester yarn.
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