Stella Nolan’s Post

How is IKEA driving sustainability with its latest initiative? Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of Inter IKEA Group, and Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group, introduce IKEA Preowned—a second-hand marketplace in Spain. This bold move extends furniture lifecycles, reduces waste, and tackles Scope 3 emissions, leading the retail sector towards a circular economy. #CircularEconomy #RetailInnovation #ClimateAction

IKEA's CEO, Jesper Brodin, believes that sustainability is not only beneficial for the environment but also a savvy business strategy. One of the biggest challenges IKEA faces in its sustainable journey is changing consumer perception, as many see the company as a source of disposable goods. Nevertheless, IKEA is steadfast in its eco-friendly efforts. By 2030, it aims to be a circular business, using only recycled or renewable materials and eliminating plastic packaging by 2028. This strategy benefits the planet and attracts eco-conscious customers and suppliers. Here are three key elements of IKEA's sustainability strategy, offering valuable insights for other retailers: 1. Make it easy for consumers to buy sustainable products: IKEA’s sustainable living shop, its fastest-growing business, offers products like blackout curtains and glass to-go containers, helping consumers easily incorporate sustainability into their lives. 2. Tackle difficult recycling challenges: IKEA designs products for reuse, refurbishment, or recycling, like new tableware from ceramic waste and fiberboard from recycled wood. They're also revolutionizing mattress recycling, a notoriously difficult task, aiming for 20% recycled content in foam production by 2025. 3. Create and participate in second-hand markets: IKEA’s Buy Back & Resell program had 212,000 customers in fiscal 2023. They’re also testing IKEA Preowned, a peer-to-peer marketplace for used IKEA furniture in Madrid and Oslo for buying and selling used IKEA furniture directly. By adopting sustainable practices, retailers can contribute to a healthier planet and appeal to eco-conscious consumers. Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dZkqENpP. #ikeafurniture #sustainablebusiness #sustainablebusinesspractices #ecofriendlybusiness #ecofriendlyproducts #sustainableretail

“Their Buy back & resell program, launched in 2022, now operates in most U.S. stores and accepts nearly 3,000 products for resale. Each returned item goes through a detailed evaluation process, prioritizing resale through their "As-is" section, with recycling only as a last resort. From their iconic flatpack design that reduces shipping waste to their support of suppliers' transition to renewable energy, IKEA is rethinking the entire furniture lifecycle from end to end. Looking ahead, Mardi told me how the company is determined to become fully circular - a transformation that could set new standards for sustainability in an industry traditionally defined by disposability.” By Christopher Marquis with IKEA Mardi Ditze, CEP https://lnkd.in/ePtzbwdG

Did you know? IKEA Names Its Products Instead of Using Product Codes. It also promotes sustainability by using the 3 R's: Refurbish 🛋️ Repair 🪛 Resell 💸 Their 'Circular Hub' initiative offers second-hand, refurbished furniture and repairs on these products. This reduces waste and makes shopping more eco-friendly. Its also affordable and builds a strong customer base and loyalty. Additionally, the Circular Hub is a key part of IKEA's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy which has an educational impact on the society. This strategy has actually started a trend that could transform the furniture industry! ♻️ #IKEA #Sustainability #SustainableBusiness #CustomerLoyalty #GreenRetail #FurnitureIndustry #RetailTrends #EcoFriendly

📦 Each day approximately 155,000 deliveries due to online shopping are transported on Milan’s roads. These account for 87% of the city’s total deliveries. 🤝🏼 IKEA has teamed up with So.De - Social Delivery to make their portion of these trips more sustainable. "Attention to zero-emission customer deliveries is more than ever a priority and is a pillar in our long-term sustainability plan," says Sara Dell'Orto, Country Zero Emission Delivery Project Leader. "We are proud to take this important new step in our ambitious development of last mile deliveries, together with So.De." ✅ Register for CodeZERO updates to follow how IKEA is applying their vision of 'creating a better everyday life for the many' to urban logistics 🔗https://lnkd.in/eajecS87

DOES IKEA KNOW WHAT IT'S DOING? When the global giant that is IKEA takes a stand, it's time to pay attention. The brand has often been at the forefront of recycle and energy efficiencies, but I've always wondered how many of it's products consumers throw away (in our throw-away culture) and how many are made from plastic. Signing up to the Renewable Carbon Initiative, and participated in the great work in driving forward new technology and awareness of recycling plastics, finding alternative paths to materials, is a great way to show it's colours, and lend weight to a fantastic group of companies with a common goal. From plastics to paints to textiles and everything else carbon based that we use today, the RCI is bringing organisations together to share and support fast-track improvements in reducing #FossilCarbon in materials. #waste #renewables #recycling

At IKEA, our passion for home extends to our community and forms a strong part our people planet positive strategy. As retailers, we have a unique opportunity and responsibility to help create a more sustainable future, enabling the UK’s progress towards a better tomorrow. However, achieving this vision requires collaboration on all levels which is why are calling on the next government to Buy Into Retail and recognise retailers as partners in delivering change.     From evolving the design of our iconic products with sustainable materials, so that they can be reused, refurbished, remanufactured, and eventually recycled, to creating markets and platforms for second-hand items, IKEA is embedding sustainability at the heart of our business.   Our investments and actions are driving progress on the UK’s sustainability goals and net zero ambitions. To enhance these efforts, we need:   •Bold and consistent leadership on legislation such as Extended Producer Responsibility and the Deposit Return Scheme to ensure they are fit for purpose and align across the whole of the UK. •Clarity on investment and infrastructure particularly on renewable energy and electronic vehicles.  •Supportive legislation such as zero-rate VAT on recycled, repaired, or refurbished products to encourage a circular economy.   We urge the next government to Buy Into Retail and recognise retail as a key partner in delivering sustainability and net zero outcomes for the benefit of our customers, co-workers, and the economy. Let’s collaborate for a sustainable future and a better everyday life for all. British Retail Consortium

Hey everyone! Day 4/30 : 30 Days, 30 Case Studies! Case Study: IKEA - Furnishing a Sustainable Future Introduction: Founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA revolutionized furniture with its focus on affordability, functionality, and design. Beyond its flat-pack boxes, IKEA is known for its commitment to sustainability. This case study explores IKEA's innovative sustainable sourcing and supply chain management. Background: IKEA faced criticism for its environmental impact, particularly in timber sourcing and manufacturing. To address this, IKEA embarked on a journey to transform its operations and minimize its ecological footprint. Challenge: IKEA needed to align its operations with sustainable practices while maintaining affordability and scalability. Rethinking sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics was crucial to prioritize environmental responsibility without compromising profitability. Solution: A Sustainable Transformation IKEA focused on sustainable sourcing and supply chain management. Sustainable Sourcing Practices- Timber Sourcing: IKEA committed to sourcing wood from responsibly managed forests. By 2020, they achieved 100% FSC-certified wood. Supplier Partnerships: IKEA worked with suppliers to adopt sustainable practices, resulting in a 25% reduction in water usage by 2022. Circular Economy Initiatives: IKEA promoted a circular economy through product design and initiatives like the "Buy Back & Resell" program. Innovative Supply Chain Management: Efficient Distribution: IKEA optimized its supply chain to reduce transportation emissions and waste. Local Sourcing: Emphasizing local sourcing reduced carbon emissions, with over 50% of furniture now sourced locally. Renewable Energy: IKEA invested in renewable energy sources to power its operations. Results: A Sustainable Future Environmental Impact Reduction: IKEA reduced carbon emissions by 15% since 2010 and aims to be climate positive by 2040. Positive Brand Image: IKEA's commitment to sustainability attracted environmentally conscious consumers, enhancing its brand reputation. Cost Savings: Long-term cost savings were realized through improved efficiency and waste reduction. Conclusion: IKEA's commitment to sustainability in sourcing and supply chain management showcases its environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. By integrating sustainability into its practices, IKEA mitigates its environmental impact while enhancing its brand and driving long-term profitability. As the industry evolves, IKEA's approach positions it as a leader in shaping a more sustainable future. Thank you for joining me on day 4 of my '30 Days, 30 Case Studies' challenge! Also share your thoughts in the comments below! 🤝 #ikea #ikeasustainability #ikeacircular #ikeawood #supplychain #casestudy

One of the most important parts of Ikea's circular approach is supporting the consumer They start by asking: "Do you feel bad about throwing things away? Maybe you want to repair, reuse or recycle, but lack the time, knowledge or energy to do so. We can help." This is an important perspective shift. Recycling takes more skills, time, and effort than many purchasing decisions. Although, I'll admit getting out of the Ikea showroom can be challenging. Many recycling or energy saving activities that consumers need to adopt happen outside of a retail environment, without the branding infrastructure. They happen in our homes and communities, where point of choice infrastructure can help us. The default cold wash setting on the washing machine. The bottle refill station on the water fountain. Recognizing that consumers are not just consumers of resources but want to be changemakers, requires a different mindset from marketing departments and new tools to support changemakers in their choices. Ikea is providing the support that changemakers need, such as furniture leasing, take-back and buy-back schemes, and skills workshops to repair, reuse and recycle old furniture, or second life reselling options. In public health, we have learned that to have large scale, lasting and impactful change, we have to stop blaming and brainwashing people and instead start empowering them with skills, confidence, and social support. We help people to make difficult decisions, we support communities to build capacity, and we advocate for systems change. There is a long history and a hard science behind these approaches that we can apply to today's sustainability challenges. It starts with developing leaders who have compassion for the barriers to change and who collaborate to co-create reciprocal resources so that circularity works. What tools can you provide to support sustainable habits and build changemaker communities? #humanresources, #change, #culture, #leadership #behavioralscience #employeeengagement #organizationaldevelopment #inclusion #future #innovation #management #sustainability #socialimpact

#Exploring Innovation with the Triangle Framework In the realm of innovation, the Triangle of Innovation—comprising Desirability, Feasibility, and Viability—serves as a guiding light for successful endeavors. ##Desirability: Meeting Human Needs Understanding customer needs and pain points forms the cornerstone of innovation. - Does the proposed solution address a genuine problem or need? - Will customers readily adopt it? ##Feasibility: Technical Viability Assessing technological and operational capabilities is crucial for implementation. - Can the solution be developed using existing technologies and processes? - Do we possess the necessary resources and expertise? ##Viability: Ensuring Business Sustainability Financial sustainability and alignment with business objectives are paramount. - Will the innovation yield profits or long-term value? - Is it poised for scalability? #Spotlight on IKEA’s Sustainable Innovations IKEA's sustainability endeavors exemplify the efficacy of the triangle framework: 1. **Desirability:** Responding to the rising demand for eco-conscious products, IKEA incorporated recycled materials into its offerings, resonating with environmentally aware consumers. 2. **Feasibility:** By exploring novel materials such as bamboo and mushroom-based packaging, IKEA showcases its commitment to sustainable practices through dedicated research. 3. **Viability:** These strategic innovations not only trim long-term expenses by reducing material wastage but also bolster IKEA's reputation as a sustainable frontrunner in the market. #InnovationAtItsCore #SustainabilityMatters #BusinessSuccess #Strategy