// Ikea has revealed it will phase out plastic from consumer packaging by 2028 as it moves towards only using renewable or recycled materials
// The phase-out will happen in steps, starting with all new range by 2025
Ikea has announced it will be phasing out plastic from consumer packaging solutions to reduce plastic waste and drive the industry agenda to develop packaging centred around renewable and recycled materials.
The phase-out will happen via a course of steps, starting with all new range by 2025, and running range by 2028.
Packaging is a key component of the retailer’s model and an important enabler for affordability, sustainability, and safe handling.
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To combat plastic waste and pollution, Ikea has already significantly decreased the amount of plastic used in packaging solutions.
Today, less than 10 per cent 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, the retailer said it 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,” said Ikea of Sweden Packaging & Identification Manager Erik Olsen.
“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.”
Annually, Ikea spends over 1 billion Euros on approximately 920 000 tonnes 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 the retailer’s suppliers across the world.
The retailer did warn that plastic packaging might remain in some parts of the its food range where it is needed to secure quality and food safety standards beyond 2028, in which case it will come from renewable or recycled sources.
Maja Kjellberg, Packaging Development Leader at Ikea of Sweden added: “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 aim to spur packaging innovation and use our size and reach to have a positive impact on the wider industry beyond our supply chain.”
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