If IKEA isn’t doing awesome collaboration-after-collaboration with designers from all over the world, or giving students a creative leg-up, they’re usually kicking goals in other ways.
And this June is no exception with the furniture retail giant announcing that it is introducing the first ‘take back’ furniture scheme for customers ever.
What does that mean?
Well, by joining the sustainability and environmentally friendly bandwagon that everyone is on these days, IKEA will allow Sydney customers (for the moment) to give their unwanted IKEA furniture a second life by returning it to the IKEA for it to be sold on to a new customer. You can wave ‘goodbye’ to Facebook Marketplace!
Underpinning importance of the circular economy, IKEA is also unveiling its first ever Circular Living pop-up store at IKEA Tempe this month, which will be open for eight weeks, giving you an in-depth look at the recyclable and renewable materials that make up their favourite IKEA products.
All this was brought on by IKEA’s people and planet positive report from 2018, which revealed that it’s possible Aussies have thrown away 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could be recycled, reused or repaired and given a second life. The findings show Australians are being more wasteful than they intend to – with half the population (56%) having thrown out furniture in the last 12 months, even though a quarter would have it if they knew how to repair or reuse it. It’s pretty shocking stuff.
But, what do you get for returning your old furniture?
IKEA is sweetening the deal with the whole idea. Not only do you get to minimise the amount of waste you deposit onto the earth, but you’ll also score a voucher of a nominated value, given by the IKEA team.
Here’s how it works:
- IKEA Tempe’s Take-back Service incentivises customers to recycle unwanted IKEA goods instead of throwing them away
- Customers need to fill out an online form and email photos of their old IKEA furniture which will then be assessed by an IKEA co-worker
- The customer will then be advised if their furniture qualifies for the service, and if successful will then be offered a price for their furniture
- The customer has 14 days to bring their furniture to IKEA Tempe where they will receive their voucher
- The furniture will be put up for sale in IKEA Tempe at the same value of the voucher given to the customer
The new Tempe scheme joins existing IKEA programs that take-back sofas, mattresses, batteries and light bulbs in stores across Australia.
Head to IKEA Tempe and get going.
