Omar Khalid
IKEA has committed to phasing out plastic from its consumer packaging by 2028, with all new products being plastic-free by 2025. The company aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution and develop packaging solutions centred around renewable and recycled materials. IKEA's climate report details its current approach to plastics in packaging and products, focusing on maximizing the use of mechanically recycled plastics and adopting new technologies. The company has already made significant progress, with less than 10% of its total annual volume of packaging material consisting of plastics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic packaging phase-out timeline | All new range by 2025, running range by 2028 |
| Plastic packaging phase-out steps | Focusing on paper, using recycled materials, and developing new solutions |
| Plastic packaging alternatives | Paper, recycled materials, and plant-based materials |
| Plastic product alternatives | Renewable or recycled materials, industrial waste, and household waste |
| Plastic food packaging alternatives | Recycled plastics, plant-based materials, and renewable or recycled sources |
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What You'll Learn
IKEA's commitment to phasing out plastic packaging by 2028
IKEA is committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet. In line with this commitment, the company has pledged to phase out plastic from consumer packaging solutions by 2028. The phase-out will occur in steps, starting with all new product ranges by 2025 and the existing range by 2028.
IKEA's journey towards eliminating plastic packaging began a few years ago when it stopped using polystyrene for packaging inside boxes, replacing it with cardboard tubes and other paper supports. Today, less than 10% of its total volume of packaging material used annually still consists of plastics. By removing plastics from consumer packaging solutions, IKEA will continue its transition towards only using renewable or recycled materials.
The company's climate report details its current approach to plastics in packaging and products. To reduce the footprint of plastics, IKEA is maximizing mechanically recycled plastics, using "mass-balanced" chemically recycled PP, and adopting new technologies and feedstock sources. The company is also exploring the use of different materials for packaging, such as paper, which is widely recycled and comes from renewable sources.
IKEA is committed to reducing plastic waste and pollution and driving the industry agenda to develop packaging solutions centred around renewable and recycled materials. The shift away from plastic in consumer packaging will require the engineering of new solutions and close collaboration with product development teams and suppliers worldwide.
IKEA's ambition is for all the plastic it uses to be based on renewable or recycled materials. The company has already started replacing single-use plastic and using different kinds of sustainable plastic in more products. For example, ISTAD, IKEA's all-purpose resealable bag, is now based on renewable materials from the sugar cane industry.
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The company's focus on using renewable and recycled materials
IKEA has made a commitment to reducing its environmental impact by using renewable and recycled materials in its products. The company aims to use only renewable and recycled materials by 2030, with a focus on reducing the climate impact of its products by two-thirds by the end of the next decade. This includes phasing out non-recycled plastic and using more sustainable alternatives.
IKEA recognises that raw materials account for most of its greenhouse gas emissions and, therefore, sees this as an opportunity to reduce its environmental impact. The company is committed to becoming a circular business and enabling its customers to live more sustainably. This involves increasing the proportion of recycled content in materials such as aluminium, plastics, and textiles. For example, the amount of recycled content in aluminium has increased to about 55% through collaboration with furniture suppliers. IKEA is also working on phasing out packaging plastic to reduce plastic waste and pollution and drive the development of packaging solutions centred around renewable and recycled materials.
In addition to its focus on materials, IKEA is also committed to providing new solutions for customers to prolong the life of products and materials. This includes initiatives such as the HÅLLBAR waste bin, which helps with waste separation and recycling in people's homes, and the ISTAD resealable bag, which is made from renewable materials and can be reused multiple times. The company is also addressing carbon black, a pigment colour used in plastic materials that is not currently detected in recycling processes, resulting in the rejection and incineration of plastic waste.
IKEA's sustainability strategy extends beyond its products and packaging. The company has also made strides in energy efficiency, achieving 100% renewable electricity for all IKEA-operated factories, packaging, and distribution units globally. Furthermore, IKEA is transitioning to more vegetarian food options in its restaurants and has replaced non-rechargeable alkaline batteries with rechargeable LADDA batteries to help customers reduce waste and save money.
IKEA's journey towards sustainability is well underway, and the company is committed to exploring, innovating, and developing solutions in collaboration with its partners and customers. By focusing on renewable and recycled materials, IKEA aims to create a positive impact on people and the planet.
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The challenges of securing affordable feedstock for products
IKEA has set a goal to eliminate plastic packaging, with less than 10% of its total annual volume of packaging material consisting of plastics. The company aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution and develop packaging solutions centred around renewable and recycled materials. This shift will happen progressively, focusing on paper as it is both recyclable and widely recycled across the world.
IKEA's climate report details its current approach to plastics in packaging and products. The company is focused on maximising mechanically recycled plastics, using "mass-balanced" chemically recycled PP, and adopting new technologies and feedstock sources. One of the challenges for the company is securing affordable feedstock and determining the climate footprint of "renewable plastics", which is highly dependent on the type of feedstock, management practices, production location, and process steps.
IKEA has already made progress in this area, with initiatives such as replacing single-use plastic with more sustainable plastic and using industrial and household waste to produce plastic products. For example, their HÅLLBAR waste bin is made from household waste, and their ISTAD reusable bags are made from renewable materials from the sugar cane industry.
IKEA is also working to reduce plastic packaging in its food products. The company has initiated projects to move to recyclable packaging for sauces and jams in its restaurants and is partnering with companies like Recup and Rebowl to provide reusable takeaway options. While plastic packaging may remain in some food products beyond 2028 for quality and food safety reasons, IKEA is committed to using only renewable or recycled sources for this packaging.
Overall, IKEA is taking significant steps to reduce its plastic packaging and develop more sustainable alternatives. By phasing out plastic packaging and developing new solutions, the company is working towards its goal of becoming more sustainable and transitioning into a circular economy.
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The use of recycled materials in food packaging
IKEA has set a goal to eliminate plastic packaging and use only recyclable or renewable-based plastics by 2030. The company aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution and develop packaging solutions centred around recycled materials. IKEA has already started replacing single-use plastic with sustainable plastic in more products and is exploring ways to produce plastic products from industrial and household waste.
Additionally, the choice of recycled materials for food packaging depends on the material type. While some materials can be recycled infinitely into new food packaging, others have limited cycles, and a third group cannot be recycled into new food packaging at all. For example, most plastic food packaging that is not made of PET is typically downcycled for use in construction and agriculture due to safety concerns and missing processes. On the other hand, materials such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), paper, and board have established recycling processes, but precautions must be taken to ensure they are safe for food contact. Multilayer food packaging, which consists of different plastic polymers or combinations of materials, presents a unique challenge as the layers are difficult to separate, making recycling almost impossible.
Furthermore, recycling food packaging can impact its chemical safety. Recycling may increase the levels of potentially hazardous chemicals in the packaging and, subsequently, in the food through chemical migration. This process occurs when chemicals are transferred from the packaging to the food or beverage, leading to low levels of chemical mixtures in people's diets. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the safety of recycled food packaging materials to prevent potential health risks associated with chronic diseases.
Overall, the use of recycled materials in food packaging offers environmental benefits by reducing waste and promoting sustainability. However, it also presents challenges in ensuring food safety and maintaining the quality of the recycled materials. Careful consideration of material types, efficient recycling processes, and regulatory oversight are necessary to address these challenges and promote the safe and effective use of recycled materials in food packaging.
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The impact of the phase-out on the wider industry
IKEA's decision to phase out plastic packaging by 2028 is expected to have a significant impact on the wider industry. As a prominent global retailer, IKEA's actions have the potential to influence other companies and shape industry practices. By committing to eliminating plastic from its consumer packaging solutions, IKEA is driving innovation in packaging solutions and encouraging the development of renewable and recycled materials.
One of the key impacts of this phase-out is the promotion of sustainability and the reduction of plastic waste and pollution. IKEA's phase-out aligns with its commitment to having a positive impact on both people and the planet. By transitioning to renewable and recycled materials, IKEA is not only reducing its plastic consumption but also encouraging its suppliers and partners to embrace more sustainable practices. This shift is expected to have a ripple effect across the industry, with other companies potentially following suit to meet consumer demands for environmentally friendly packaging.
The phase-out will also spur packaging innovation, as IKEA and other companies in the industry will need to engineer new solutions that are environmentally friendly, affordable, and safe for handling products. This includes exploring alternative materials, such as paper and plant-based options, as well as focusing on reducing waste and promoting recyclability. The transition away from plastic packaging will likely lead to increased collaboration between product development teams and suppliers, fostering a more sustainable and innovative approach to packaging design.
Moreover, IKEA's phase-out of plastic packaging is expected to influence consumer behaviour and awareness. As consumers become more informed about the environmental impact of packaging, they may demand more sustainable options from other companies. This shift in consumer preferences will, in turn, pressure the industry to adopt more sustainable practices and offer eco-friendly alternatives. The phase-out will also empower consumers to make more sustainable choices, providing them with the possibility to choose products packaged in environmentally conscious materials that can be recycled.
Overall, IKEA's decision to phase out plastic packaging is anticipated to have far-reaching consequences for the wider industry. It will drive innovation, promote the use of renewable and recycled materials, reduce plastic waste, and increase consumer awareness of sustainable packaging options. By taking this step, IKEA is not only improving its own environmental footprint but also inspiring positive change throughout the industry and beyond.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, IKEA is committed to phasing out plastic from consumer packaging by 2028 and will develop more renewable and recyclable materials. The company has already significantly decreased the amount of plastic used in packaging solutions.
IKEA will focus on paper as it is recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled across the world. The company is also looking at other potential plastic replacements, such as cardboard.
IKEA is replacing single-use plastic with different kinds of sustainable plastic in more products. For example, the ISTAD, a reusable, all-purpose resealable bag is now based on renewable materials from the sugar cane industry. The company is also producing plastic products from industrial and household waste.
