IKEA, the world’s largest furniture retailer, is pioneering a new approach to sustainability through its “Buy back & resell” program. The program, launched in 2022, allows customers to return used IKEA products and receive a store credit or have them resold. The program is part of IKEA’s circular approach to reduce waste and extend product lifecycles. IKEA’s sustainability strategy is integrated into every step of the design process, from sourcing to manufacturing. The company aims to become fully circular, with a focus on designing products that can be easily recycled, refurbished, or resold.
In the US, the Buy back & resell program is rolling out, with over 3,000 products currently eligible for resale. The program has faced challenges due to state-specific regulations, but IKEA is working to establish the program in all US stores.
In an interview, Mardi Ditze, Country Sustainability Manager for IKEA U.S., discussed the company’s approach to sustainability and circularity. Ditze emphasized the importance of thinking about waste and sustainability from the design stage, considering factors such as the sourcing of materials, supply chain sustainability, and end-of-life options for products.
IKEA’s flat-pack design, popularized by its iconic blue bags, has been a key part of the company’s sustainability efforts, reducing packaging waste and shipping emissions. Ditze highlighted the example of IKEA’s SILVERSIDA tableware line, which uses ceramic from broken ceramic parts to manufacture new products, demonstrating IKEA’s commitment to circularity.
Despite being a privately owned company, IKEA’s purpose-driven approach allows for a long-term view, prioritizing sustainability and social responsibility over short-term financial gains. Ditze noted that IKEA’s unique ownership structure, with a foundation owning the company, ensures independence and a focus on long-term goals.
The interview also touched on the company’s approach to ownership, with IKEA U.S. being a franchisee of Inter IKEA Group, which is responsible for the global IKEA brand. Ditze discussed the challenges and opportunities of implementing the Buy back & resell program in the US, including the need to adapt to state-specific regulations and regulations around secondhand goods.