‘Truly circular’: IKEA commits to using only renewable or recycled materials by 2030

IKEA has added to its rich array of sustainability pledges by planning to become a truly circular business by 2030.

At a conference in Sweden this week, the furniture giant has committed to design its products “with new circular principles”, meaning that it will only use renewable or recycled materials in the future.

Single-use plastics will be removed from all its stores and restaurants by 2020 and the corporation will endeavour to reduce its climate footprint by 70 percent per product.

“Our ambition is to become people and planet positive by 2030 while growing the IKEA business. Through our size and reach we have the opportunity to inspire and enable more than one billion people to live better lives, within the limits of the planet” said Inter IKEA Group CEO, Torbjörn Lööf. 

IKEA admits that to achieve some of its new principles will require a drastic reduction in its carbon footprint across the entire business. This means rethinking its business model to embed sustainability from start to finish.

“Becoming truly circular means meeting people’s changing lifestyles, prolonging the life of products and materials and using resources in a smarter way. To make this a reality, we will design all products from the very beginning to be repurposed, repaired, reused, resold and recycled”, added Lena Pripp-Kovac, Sustainability Manager.

The company has already made significant pledges to transform its global operations, such as investing in sustainable forestry and buying up new solar and wind farms. Its latest report detailed how the multinational now uses the equivalent of 73 percent renewable energy across its global footprint. Its leadership on sustainability also resulted in a circular economy award at the World Economic Forum earlier this year.

“Change will only be possible if we collaborate with others and nurture entrepreneurship. We are committed to taking the lead working together with everyone – from raw material suppliers all the way to our customers and partners”, add Mr. Lööf.