IKEA to phase out plastic from consumer packaging by 2028

In line with the commitment to have a positive impact on both people and planet, IKEA will phase out plastic from consumer packaging solutions. The phase-out will happen in steps, starting with all new range by 2025, and existing range by 2028. With this phase-out, IKEA aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution, and drive the industry agenda to develop packaging solutions focused around renewable and recycled materials.

In line with the commitment to have a positive impact on both people and planet, IKEA will phase out plastic from consumer packaging solutions. The phase-out will happen in steps, starting with all new range by 2025, and existing range by 2028. With this phase-out, IKEA aims to reduce plastic waste and pollution, and drive the industry agenda to develop packaging solutions focused around renewable and recycled materials.

Packaging is a key component of the IKEA business model and an important enabler for affordability, sustainability, and safe handling. To combat plastic waste and pollution, IKEA has already significantly decreased the amount of plastic used in packaging solutions. Today, less than 10% of the total volume of packaging material used annually by IKEA consist of plastics. In closing the remaining gap by removing plastics from consumer packaging solutions, IKEA will continue the movement towards only using renewable or recycled materials.

“Phasing out plastic in consumer packaging is the next big step on our journey to make packaging solutions more sustainable and support the overall commitment to reduce plastic pollution and develop packaging from renewable and recycled materials. The shift will happen progressively over the coming years, and mainly be focusing on paper as it is both recyclable, renewable, and widely recycled across the world” says Erik Olsen, Packaging & Identification Manager at IKEA Of Sweden.

On an annual basis, IKEA spends over 1 billion Euros on approximately 920,000 tons of packaging material. The movement away from plastic in consumer packaging will require the engineering of new solutions, as well as close collaboration with product development teams and IKEA suppliers across the world. Plastic packaging might remain in some parts of the IKEA food range where it is needed to secure quality and food safety standards beyond 2028, in which case it will come renewable or recycled sources.

“Ingenuity is part of the IKEA heritage, and packaging is by no means an exception in that regard. Shifting away from plastic in our consumer packaging solutions will doubtlessly be a challenging task in the coming years. With this movement we hope to spur innovation within packaging and use our size and reach to have a positive impact on the wider industry beyond our supply chain,” says Maja Kjellberg, Packaging Development Leader at IKEA Of Sweden.

About IKEA
IKEA offers well-designed, functional and affordable, high-quality home furnishing, produced with care for people and the environment. There are several companies with different owners, working under the IKEA Brand, all sharing the same vision: to create a better everyday life for the many people. IKEA was founded in Sweden in 1943.

About the IKEA franchise system
The IKEA retail business is operated through a franchise system with franchisees that are authorised to market and sell the IKEA product range within specified geographical territories. Inter IKEA Systems B.V. is the owner of the IKEA Concept and worldwide IKEA franchisor, who also assigns different IKEA companies to develop the product range, supply products and deliver communication solutions. Today, 12 different groups of companies have the right to own and operate IKEA sales channels under franchise agreements with Inter IKEA Systems B.V.

About Inter IKEA Group
Inter IKEA Group includes Inter IKEA Systems B.V., IKEA of Sweden AB, IKEA Supply AG and IKEA Industry AB related businesses. Inter IKEA Holding B.V. is the holding company for the Inter IKEA Group.