IKEA comes up with buy back scheme to become climate positive by 2030

IKEA, the Swedish homeware giant is all set to become climate positive by 2030, and as a part of that they recently announced a new buy back scheme for customers’ old and unwanted furniture.

IKEA plans to resell furniture items which they get back as second-hand. This is to reduce the extra emission of greenhouse gases by the company.

The scheme will be available in 27 countries on November 24. The company said that the scheme ‘Here to Stay’ and they will be doing this completely under the health guidance.

In a statement the company said that the returned furniture will be kept aside for quarantine and they will only exhibit them in the shop after proper sanitization.

IKEA UK & Ireland sustainability manager Hege Sæbjørnsen said that it’s a good business opportunity and responsibility. He also said that the recent climate crisis requires us all to rethink radically on our buying patterns.

‘Currently, 45% of total global carbon emissions come from the way the world produces and uses everyday products, so Buy Back represents an opportunity to address unsustainable consumption and its impact on climate change.’ He said.

The customers who sells back the item will be given an IKEA voucher without any expiry date, which they could spend in store. The collected items will be resold in the As-Is Area of stores, previously known as Bargain Corner.

Items which cannot be resold will be recycled.

Depending on the condition of the furniture, it could be worth as much as 50% of the original price.

“Items deem ‘as new’ with no scratch will be bought for half the original price; items in ‘very good’ condition with minor scratches will be bought back for 40% of the price; and ‘well used’ items with several scratches will go for 30% of the price.” The company said in a statement.

Products such as dressers, office drawer cabinets, small structures with drawers, display storage and sideboards; bookcases and shelf units; small tables; multimedia furniture; cabinets; dining tables and desks; chairs and stools; chests of drawers and PAX accessories are eligible for Buy Back.