Ikea announces that it will phase out all plastic from its primary packaging. The first step is the launch of all new plastic-free ranges by 2025 and then current ranges will be replaced by 2028. Plastic will mainly be replaced by paper solutions, "because it is both recyclable, renewable and widely recycled around the world" says Erik Olsen, head of packaging and identification at Ikea of Sweden.
The new range of bulbs launched last October is a perfect example of this change in packaging. The new led bulbs are presented in a flat cardboard box, the previous ones in plastic blister.
Today, about 10 percent of the total volume of packaging materials used by the Swedish furniture and home furnishings brand is made of plastic.
Removal in primary packaging will require the development of new solutions, as well as collaboration between the group's product development teams and its suppliers around the world.
However, plastic could remain in the chain's food line after 2028 where it is required "to guarantee quality and food safety standards" Ikea, which specifies that in this case the plastic will come from renewable or recycled sources.
"Ingenuity is part of the Ikea heritage, and packaging is by no means an exception in this regard. Moving away from plastic in our consumer packaging solutions will undoubtedly be a difficult task in the years to come, says Maja Kjellberg, head of packaging development at Ikea in Sweden. With this move, we hope to drive innovation within packaging and use our size and reach to positively impact the entire industry beyond our supply chain."
