Sofia Martinez
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 has already significantly decreased the amount of plastic used in packaging solutions, with less than 10% of its total annual volume of packaging material consisting of plastics. The shift towards more sustainable packaging solutions will focus on paper as it is recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled across the world. The company is also exploring the use of recycled and plant-based plastics, as well as industrial and household waste, to create more sustainable products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic packaging elimination goal | By 2028 |
| Plastic packaging elimination steps | All new range by 2025, running range by 2028 |
| Plastic packaging elimination focus | Paper |
| Plastic packaging elimination reason | Reduce plastic waste and pollution |
| Plastic packaging elimination alternative | Renewable and recycled materials |
| Plastic packaging elimination challenge | Food products for health and safety standards and prevention of food waste |
| Plastic packaging elimination solution | Recycled plastics or plant-based materials |
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What You'll Learn
IKEA's commitment to phasing out plastic packaging by 2028
IKEA has demonstrated its commitment to sustainability by pledging to phase out all plastic packaging for its products by 2028. This move is in line with the company's ambition and broader goal to have a positive impact on people and the planet and to transition into a circular economy.
IKEA's journey towards this goal is already well underway. The company has significantly decreased the amount of plastic used in packaging solutions, with less than 10% of its total annual volume of packaging material consisting of plastics. This is a relatively small gap to close, but it will still require the engineering of new solutions and close collaboration with product development teams and suppliers across the world.
The phase-out will happen in steps, with all new product ranges switching to non-plastic packaging by 2025 and the rest of the range by 2028. IKEA is committed to eliminating plastic packaging for all existing products by 2028, with a focus on using renewable and recyclable materials, such as paper and cardboard. Paper is a good alternative to plastic because it is renewable, recyclable, and widely recycled across the world.
IKEA is also working to reduce plastic waste and pollution in its products. Many of its big plastic product families are already made using a high share of recycled plastic. The company is also exploring ways to produce plastic products from industrial and household waste.
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The company's focus on maximising mechanically recycled plastics
IKEA is committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet. The company has set an ambitious goal to ensure that all the plastic it uses will be based on renewable or recycled materials by 2030. This includes a shift towards using mechanically recycled plastics and adopting new technologies and feedstock sources.
IKEA recognises the importance of reducing the footprint of plastics and is taking a comprehensive approach to address this issue. The company is actively phasing out single-use plastic products and incorporating different kinds of sustainable plastic into its range. This is evident in their popular products like the KUNGSBACKA front, which uses 25 discarded and recycled PET bottles to create a matte black surface.
IKEA is also addressing the challenges associated with securing affordable feedstock and determining the climate footprint of renewable plastics. The type of feedstock, management practices, production location, and process steps all influence the environmental impact of renewable plastics. By working closely with partners and industries, IKEA aims to drive innovation and overcome these challenges.
In addition, IKEA is committed to becoming a circular business, where nothing is wasted, and old products become new resources. They are increasing the proportion of recycled content in various materials, including plastics, and have made significant progress with recycled aluminium, thanks to dedicated furniture suppliers.
IKEA is taking a proactive approach to reducing plastic packaging as well. The company shared that less than 10% of its total annual volume of packaging material consisted of plastics, and they are committed to phasing out this remaining plastic packaging. This will involve a progressive shift towards paper packaging, which is recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled globally.
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The use of renewable and recycled materials in food packaging
IKEA has committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet by using only plastic based on renewable or recycled materials. The company has already started replacing single-use plastic with different kinds of sustainable plastic in more products. For instance, the HÅLLBAR waste bin is made from industrial and household waste, and the ISTAD, a reusable, all-purpose resealable bag is now based on renewable materials from the sugar cane industry. IKEA has also been replacing plastic coverings with corrugated or cardboard packs, as part of a broader transition in packaging for textiles.
The company has also made progress toward all food packaging being made from recycled materials by 2025 with the launch of 99% recycled PET bottles. In addition, IKEA has initiated projects to move to recyclable packaging for sauces and jams in its restaurants. The company has also been working on reusable packaging options, such as the Recup and Rebowl takeaway options at the IKEA Bistro in Germany, where cups and bowls can be reused or returned for a refund.
There are several types of renewable and recycled materials that can be used for food packaging. These include plant-based materials such as bioplastics, which are derived from renewable sources like corn, sugarcane, and potatoes, and offer an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional fossil-fuel-based plastics. Pulp-based packaging, made from recycled paper, is another option that reduces waste and enhances recyclability. Mycelium-based packaging, which uses the root structure of fungi, provides a unique approach to sustainability by creating customized and biodegradable packaging.
While recycling is a key aspect of reducing the environmental impact of food packaging, it is important to note that not all materials can be recycled into new food packaging. Some materials can be recycled multiple times, while others can only be recycled a limited number of times or cannot be recycled into new food packaging at all. Efficient collection and separation processes are crucial for successful recycling, and special measures are needed to guarantee the safety of the recycled material before it can be used for food packaging again.
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The shift to paper-based packaging
IKEA is committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet. In line with this commitment, the company has set a goal to eliminate plastic packaging. In 2020, less than 10% of the company's total annual volume of packaging material consisted of plastics.
IKEA has already made significant progress towards this goal. For example, they have launched a recycled glass worktop range, replacing virgin quartz, and are working on moving to recyclable packaging for sauces and jams in IKEA restaurants. In addition, the company has started selling electricity from renewable sources for households in Sweden, with plans to expand this service to other countries.
IKEA is also committed to eliminating plastic packaging for all existing products by 2028. This will be done in steps, starting with all new products by 2025 and the rest of the range by 2028. The company aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution and develop packaging solutions centred around renewable and recycled materials.
Overall, IKEA's shift to paper-based packaging is part of its larger goal to become more sustainable and transition into a circular economy. The company is committed to exploring, innovating, and developing new solutions to reduce its environmental impact.
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The challenges of securing affordable feedstock for renewable plastics
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 replace single-use plastic with more sustainable plastic and maximize the use of mechanically recycled plastics. They plan to phase out packaging plastic progressively, focusing on paper as it is recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled globally.
IKEA has also set a goal for all its plastic products to be based on renewable or recycled materials by 2030. They are exploring ways to produce plastic products from industrial and household waste. For instance, their HÅLLBAR waste bin helps separate and recycle waste in people's homes, and their ISTAD reusable bag is made from renewable materials from the sugar cane industry.
However, IKEA acknowledges the challenges in securing affordable feedstock for renewable plastics and determining their climate footprint. The climate footprint of renewable plastics is influenced by various factors, including the type of feedstock, management practices, production location, and process steps.
One of the primary challenges in sourcing plastic feedstock for recycling, particularly in Europe, is the lack of standardized collection systems. Different countries and regions have varying recycling infrastructures and waste management practices, making it difficult to establish a reliable and efficient supply chain for plastic feedstock. This fragmentation in the recycling industry needs to be addressed to ensure a consistent supply of affordable feedstock for renewable plastics.
To address these challenges, companies like Dow and UPM Biofuels have partnered to produce plastics with renewable feedstock. Dow is integrating wood-based UPM BioVerno renewable naphtha, a key raw material for plastics, into its production processes. This feedstock is produced from crude tall oil, a residue of paper pulp production, in sustainably managed forests. This process reduces CO2 emissions and helps brand owners meet their sustainability goals.
By focusing on resource efficiency and integrating recycled content and renewable feedstocks, companies can contribute to a circular economy and extend the lifespan of post-consumer plastics. These efforts are crucial in reducing plastic waste and promoting sustainable practices in the industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, IKEA is committed to phasing out plastic from consumer packaging by 2028. The phase-out will happen in steps, starting with all new products by 2025, and the rest of the range by 2028.
IKEA will use more renewable and recyclable materials, with a larger focus on paper. The company is also looking at other potential plastic replacements, such as cardboard.
IKEA aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution and develop packaging solutions centred around renewable and recycled materials. The company is also committed to making a positive impact on people and the planet.
IKEA is replacing single-use plastic with different kinds of sustainable plastic in more products. The company is also committed to halving its absolute net greenhouse gas emissions across its entire company value chain by 2030.
