Energy and resources
We’re creating positive changes
For a long time we have been making more from less. It’s part of our heritage. We’re also busy using renewable materials, recycling, turning waste into resources and protecting our nature.
To ship more products and less air
Distributing the IKEA products worldwide, we strive to reduce the amount of air that gets shipped. The more packages we fit in trucks, trains or ships, the less carbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted. Our goal is to improve the shipping efficiency from 63% up to 70%. However, this might look easier than it really is. The weight limit for trucks and shipping containers often complicates the task.
Clear standards for responsible forestry
Our IWAY Forestry Standard sets clear requirements for all wood used in IKEA products. All suppliers must comply with the standard before they can start deliveries.
Certifying forests together with WWF
IKEA and WWF have worked together since 2002 to combat illegal logging, to map and protect High Conservation Value Forests and to secure biological and social forest values. So far, we have helped to improve forest management in Europe and Asia, and contributed to increasing FSC® certified forest areas by around 30 million hectares.
Making things right when things go wrong
Several years ago we discovered tropical hardwood fibres in some of our paper products. This is not in line with our standards. After a full investigation, we improved our internal procedures to make sure this couldn’t happen again.
Preventing the use of illegally logged walnut
Our forestry experts detected illegal logging of walnut in China. So, we stopped using this wood in our products. As a result, the MOLGER bathroom series is now made of birch from certified forests.
Learn more about how we work with forestry
In addition to suppliers meeting our IWAY Forestry Standard, the volume of wood from more sustainable sources – recycled wood and wood from forests certified by the FSC® – increased to 50% in 2015. We are aiming for 100% by 2020.
Taking action to transform the cotton industry
Over a decade ago, along with WWF and others, we helped set up the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI), which aims to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future.
Since 2005, we have been working with WWF to make cotton farming more sustainable. Our work began with 500 farmers in Pakistan. In the beginning they were reluctant about the idea, however after one year, the results were significant enough to inspire more farmers to join our projects in India and Pakistan.
Why more sustainable cotton matters
Cotton is one of our most important raw materials. You’ll find it in many IKEA products. Although we love working with cotton, we were uncomfortable with the fact that growing cotton in the conventional way is often harmful to the environment and the people involved.
Making a lasting impact
We’re pleased to have reached our 100% target, but we won’t stop there. IKEA is committed to creating positive change throughout the entire cotton industry. Today, 72% of our cotton comes from Better Cotton Initiative, and 20% is recycled. Our vision is that more sustainable cotton becomes a mainstream material - beyond our business as well.
Cotton from more sustainable sources
Of the total cotton we use in IKEA products, 20% is recycled cotton. The remaining 80% comes from these sources:
- cotton from old participants of Better Cotton Initiative: 72%
- cotton from new participants of Better Cotton Initiative: 23%
- more sustainable cotton from other sources, such as the E3 program in the US: 5%
Saving water in Bangladesh
One of our major textile suppliers in Bangladesh uses around 1.7 million m3 of water a year. In 2011/2013, we launched a project together to cut water consumption at their site by at least 20%. The supplier installed 30 water meters around the plant to understand which process uses the most water, from bleaching to printing and dyeing. We’ve also identified several points where wastewater could be recycled and used elsewhere in the plant, and will run pilot projects to test potential solutions and savings.
VALUE, NOT WASTE
Thinking in circles
At IKEA, we always look for ways to make more from less. But in a world where resources are scarce, we need to rethink everything from the materials we use, to how we power our stores.
We aim to use renewable and recycled resources as efficiently as possible, to make sure that we create value rather than waste. And when you bring the products home, we want to help you make them live longer, or give them a new life in a cycle of repair, reuse, and recycling.
Doing things right from the start
To make the world a more sustainable place we start by planning for our products’ next life at the design stage. Our products must last as long as they are needed and be easy to care for, repair, reuse, reassemble, and recycle. The better we do this, the better for our customers and our planet.
Old materials, new surfaces. Call us cheap, but we don’t like throwing things away. We see waste as 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. And although REINSVOLL is a sustainable choice, of course it doesn’t compromise on quality, design or price.
Pioneering kitchen fronts. REINSVOLL isn’t our first product made entirely from 100% recycled FSC® certified wood and PET-bottles. The KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts, with their sleek design and anti-fingerprint surface, have the same origin.
Every year, about 100 billion PET water bottles are used worldwide but only 30% are recycled. By giving them a new life as foil for doors and kitchen fronts, we show that recycling is not only the right thing to do, it also results in beautiful new products.
Did you know?
Bioplastic is a material made from a renewable feedstock such as agricultural products and by-products. It can also be made from other renewable carbon sources, like biogas. Changing to bioplastic is a step towards our goal to only use renewable or recycled plastic in our home furnishing products, and to contribute to a transformation of the plastic industry.
Towards zero waste
At IKEA 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 and turning it into new resources.
Did you know?
In 2016, 89% of waste is recycled or energy recovered across our operations.
By 2020, 90% of the waste from our own operations will be recycled or energy recovered.
80% of the waste from our stores and distribution centers will be material recycled.
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, we save on limited resources, while bringing extra character to your home.
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. In our store 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.
Food you can feel good about
We serve and sell food to 261 million customers a year. Our approach includes using more sustainable and organic ingredients – which includes purchasing ingredients that have been certified to recognised standards and applying animal welfare standards.
"Building on UTZ we also wanted our beans to be organically grown, meaning without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides."
Jacqueline Macalister, responsible for Health and Sustainability at IKEA Food
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 organically grown according to EU standards without the use of chemicals and pesticides. UTZ certification 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.
PÅTÅR special edition: Introducing a single-origin high-quality 100% Arabica coffee from Uganda
The large part of PÅTÅR coffee beans originates from South America. Now we’re happy to add a special edition solely sourced in Africa to the list. Uganda is the biggest coffee exporting country in Africa, yet the average size of a coffee farm is less than 0,25 hectare – just a quarter the size of a football field. It’s not easy to run a profitable farm with such small resources. To support more sustainable farming practices, IKEA has teamed up with Ugandan coffee growers.
Learn more about the special PÅTÅR coffee and our work with Social Entrepreneurs.
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 better conditions for farmer and traceability back to the plantation.
“Building on UTZ we also wanted our beans to be organically grown, meaning without the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides” – Jacqueline Macalister. “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.”
Organic and UTZ is a good combination
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 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.
Chocolate you can feel good about eating
The cocoa in IKEA labelled chocolate bars meets strict, independent requirements to ensure sustainable farming standards and fair conditions for workers. Just look for the UTZ Certified label in our Swedish Food Market. To trace the origin of the cocoa in your UTZ certified chocolate bar, visit utz.org/IKEA.
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. All IKEA salmon comes from Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) certified farms.
Today, 90% of the world’s fish stocks are fully exploited – by sourcing responsibly we can ensure fish stocks won’t decline further.
Making pearls from seaweed
Our seaweed pearls are made from kelp, a sustainable plant form growing at a rate of up to 50 cm per day. These "pearls" are a great vegan caviar substitute, and don’t contribute to the depletion of fish stocks.
Enjoy veggies in a tasty ball
We 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.
Seafood you and your grandchildren can enjoy
All wild-caught fish and shrimp served and sold at IKEA come from fisheries which are independently certified to Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) standards. When you enjoy it, you can be sure you are supporting sustainable fishing and protecting seafood supplies for generations to come.
Try our great organic options
You can always find organic food at our Swedish Food Market, like lingonberry jam, coffee and cookies. We also offer at least one organic meal on the menu at our restaurants, as well as an organic children’s meal.
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.