Circularity has become a defining pillar in IKEA’s sustainability strategy, shaping how the company designs products, selects materials, and engages with customers.
Moving away from the traditional linear model of “take, make, dispose,” IKEA is advancing a system-wide transformation toward a circular business—one that reduces waste, regenerates resources, and minimizes environmental impact at scale.
This transition touches every aspect of the IKEA value chain. From product development to material sourcing and customer experience, circularity is embedded as a core principle.
The company is not only adapting its internal processes but also collaborating with suppliers, partners, NGOs, and communities to accelerate the broader shift to a circular economy.
At the heart of this transformation lies IKEA’s Democratic Design framework, now enhanced with circular design principles.
Products are conceived from the outset to be reused, repaired, refurbished, and recycled.
By 2030, IKEA aims for its entire product range to achieve an average circular fulfilment score of 90%, with at least half scoring 100%.
This includes designing for disassembly, adaptability, and recyclability—ensuring products can move seamlessly through multiple life cycles.
Flexibility in design plays a crucial role in extending product life. Innovations such as the wedge dowel system—a click-based assembly technique—allow furniture to be easily assembled, disassembled, and reassembled.
This enables customers to move or adapt their furniture without damage. Similarly, extendable beds are designed to grow with children, reducing the need for replacement over time.
Even iconic products are being reimagined through a circular lens. The well-known PAX wardrobe has been redesigned with a foldable frame and fewer fittings, making assembly faster and disassembly easier.
Its compatibility with previous versions ensures longevity and adaptability, reinforcing IKEA’s commitment to durable, long-term use.
Material innovation is another critical focus. Since materials account for the largest share of IKEA’s climate footprint, the company is prioritizing renewable and recycled inputs.
Wood, the most widely used material, is targeted to include at least one-third recycled content by 2030, with particleboard reaching 80%.
Efforts are also underway to improve the recyclability of fibreboard, including dedicated recycling lines in Poland.
Beyond wood, IKEA is advancing circular solutions across multiple materials. In foam production, the company is reducing reliance on fossil-based inputs by increasing recycled and renewable content in polyurethane foam.
Cotton sourcing emphasizes recycled fibres from both pre- and post-consumer waste, while glass—infinitely recyclable yet often discarded—is being reintegrated into production.
A notable example is the HÄNGBJÖRK collection, crafted entirely from glass waste.
Produced in collaboration with a social enterprise in India, the project not only reduces energy use but also supports women in vulnerable communities, combining environmental and social impact.
Complementing product and material innovation, IKEA is expanding circular services to empower customers.
These include repair services, spare parts availability, buy-back programs, and second-hand marketplaces.
Customers can return used furniture for resale or access replacement components to extend product life, making circular participation more accessible.
Through these integrated efforts, IKEA is redefining what large-scale retail can achieve in the circular economy.
By aligning design, materials, and services, the company is building a system that not only reduces waste but actively creates long-term value—for people, products, and the planet.
