Start Small, Start Here: IKEA Singapore Accelerates Efforts Towards a More Sustainable Future

IKEA Singapore has announced a range of new sustainability offerings and initiatives, in line with its commitment to becoming people and planet positive by 2030.

From increasing the range of healthy and affordable food to offering safer, smarter, and more sustainable products, IKEA is focused on inspiring and supporting people to make small, simple changes towards building a more sustainable future in their homes and communities.

Making more sustainable choices inspiring and affordable

As part of IKEA’s vision to becoming more sustainable every day, IKEA has broadened its offerings with more products made of waste materials, natural fibres like bamboo and wood, and textile responsibly produced in a sustainable industrial environment.

In 2012, IKEA began partnering with social businesses – companies committed to creating jobs and bringing empowerment to people who need it most. The upcoming VÅRDANDE collection takes this initiative global for the first time, in partnership with five suppliers from across Asia. This collection is not only made in Asia – it’s inspired by Asian traditions as well. It’s made for the daily self-care rituals in your life – for all those seeking mindfulness, meditation or just a moment to pause.

The VÅRDANDE storage basket and plant pots are made of jute, a natural, sustainable and locally sourced material used by social business partner, Classical Handmade Products in Bangladesh, who are committed to creating jobs for women in nearby villages, with childcare provided next to where they work.

The VÅRDANDE bowl and candle holder is made by the social business Doi Tung in Thailand. Through their production, they create jobs and steady income for villagers in the mountainous regions of northern Thailand.

The VÅRDANDE collection will be available in Singapore in Q3 2022.

IKEA Singapore restaurants to go 50% plant-based by 2025

IKEA is taking the next step towards making healthy and sustainable food more affordable and desirable to Singaporeans. By 2025, 50% of main meals offered in the IKEA Restaurants at IKEA Tampines, IKEA Alexandra and IKEA Jurong will be plant-based, significantly increasing the range of affordable, nutritious, and delicious food choices available to customers. This move aims to make healthier and more sustainable living part of everyday life.

Eating a plant-based diet is one of the most significant actions an individual can take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Plant-based foods need less resources, less water, and less land to feed just as many.

While the famous IKEA Swedish meatballs will remain on the menu, IKEA has set out to develop more plant-based options in the recent years. For a limited time only, IKEA will be introducing its new menu featuring plant-based options such as gyoza and nuggets. The authentic meat-free gyozas are full of flavour and contain 53% more protein and 22% less fat than the classic dish.

The new plant-based gyozas will be available in IKEA restaurants for dine-in only from 15 to 20 May, while stocks last. More plant-based options like nuggets and curry puffs will be included on IKEA’s menu in the coming months.

IKEA partners with Carousell to make zero-waste more accessible

From encouraging zero-waste of products and materials through the AS-IS section in IKEA stores, offering LADDA rechargeable batteries, to energy efficient SOLHETTA LED bulbs that last up to 20 years, IKEA is promoting more sustainable consumption habits and transforming into a circular business.

IKEA Singapore has announced a new partnership with leading classifieds marketplace Carousell, to deliver a first-of-its-kind Secondhand Showroom and an incentivised rewards programme.

From 21 April to 30 June 2022, IKEA and Carousell will reward customers that take steps towards extending the shelf life of IKEA products through secondhand transactions or by engaging in free-cycling. 

For up to three successful transactions of secondhand IKEA items on Carousell platform per month, the buyer will receive a Carousell Protection voucher worth $5 and the seller can get 500 IKEA Family points (worth S$5) that can be redeemed instantly for in-store purchases at IKEA Tampines, IKEA Alexandra, or IKEA Jurong. 

The programme rewards both buyers and sellers for participating in the circular economy, on top of the existing rewards of buying secondhand for less and selling to make more, and aims to further break barriers in the process of opting for secondhand and consuming sustainably.

For more information, visit IKEA.sg/secondchances.

Image credits: IKEA