I live for simple and intentional living, and it is re-assuring that IKEAinspires and enables sustainable life at home.
It was my first time to visit IKEA last April 7th and it is a timely visit as the brand launches the Circular Shop. This is where you’ll find returned items, floor samples, end of the range, and discontinued pieces, all at a fraction of their original price.
It is nice that IKEA dedicated space to giving every piece a long and useful life as possible. I know that it is tempting to buy all the pretty items in IKEA – to build that “minimalist” look at home. But the true sense of minimal living is consuming less and making the most of our current purchases/items at home. I have a few items that I purchased at the launch of the IKEA store online, and most of them are from the sustainable line.
While the concept of sustainable living is often viewed as challenging, unpractical, and expensive, IKEA
simplifies it. “For us, a sustainable life at home is affordable and attainable through small actions that will
eventually create a big impact on home life and on our Earth,” said Georg Platzer, Store Manager of IKEA
Pasay City. “At IKEA we believe that sustainable living cannot be a luxury for the few. It must be affordable
for the many.”
With more than 2,000 products that help people save energy and water, reduce waste, conserve resources, or settle into home furnishings made from renewable and recycled material, 57 solutions were specifically chosen and designed for Filipinos.
A practical, affordable, and sustainable life at home
Anchored on the principle that anyone can live sustainably, IKEA presents simple solutions so that the many Filipinos can make small, affordable, but still very meaningful actions that have a positive impact on the environment:
Furniture that lasts longer. IKEA presents furniture that grows as a family grows. Rather than
needing to be replaced, pieces can be supplemented with modules as needed. Products that can
adapt as needs change are even more useful. For example, the PAHL desk, an adjustable table
that helps avoid the cost and hassle of buying a new desk as your child grows.
Products that use less resources. A pressure compensating aerator is standard across the whole
IKEA range of taps and showers. This reduces the amount of water coming out by up to 50% but
keeps the flow at the desired level. LED light bulbs are also standard across all IKEA products.
Those use up to 85% less energy—this makes them planet friendly—and lasts 20 times longer than
incandescent bulbs.
Products that help reduce waste. The world is using and wasting resources more than ever. By
practicing some small and smart changes at home like adhering to a waste sorting system, we can
help the world’s waste problem. For instance, the SORTERA recycling bin allows you to recycle and
compost, significantly reducing waste at home.
Reusable products. From the trusty and durable FRAKTA bag to the IKEA 365+ food containers,
IKEA products are meant to be reused many, many times. Something to look forward to is the
STORSTOMMA, a rainbow-colored version of the Swedish retailers’ bestselling carrier bag, coming
very soon.
Plant-based foods. Plant-based foods have a smaller environmental impact than meat and dairy
products. The problem is plant-based food often comes at the expense of flavor and texture. That’s
not the case with the HUVUDROLL plant ball, a plant-based alternative that’s just as delicious its
meat counterpart. The HUVUDROLL is fast becoming a favorite of Filipinos, so be sure to grab them
right away because they sell out real quick.
Products made from natural and responsibly sourced materials. Wood is durable, recyclable,
and renewable if grown and used responsibly—It also looks great. Bamboo is another sustainable
raw material used in IKEA products. Its strength and stability provide possibilities for construction
with thinner elements and boards, resulting in reduced use of material. This saves natural
resources and increases savings during transport. Bamboo also filters carbon dioxide, produces
oxygen, and has a high growth rate making it extremely sustainable. Aside from wood and bamboo,
all the cotton used for IKEA products comes from sustainable sources. In fact, 60% of the IKEA
product range already uses renewable materials.
A collection inspired by the surf lifestyle. Since 2019, IKEA has partnered with the World Surf
League, a leading global sports organization for surfers, to develop a new collection inspired by an
active lifestyle that’s close to the ocean and conscious of the planet. The KASEBERGA collection,
which will be in IKEA Pasay very soon, offers a range of practical, beautifully-designed products that
champion sustainability. It was developed with a focus on including more renewable materials like
wood, and materials from recycled sources such as polyester.
Much like how its products are catered for many people, so is the concept of sustainable living. IKEA
makes sustainable living at home easier and more affordable than ever with practical and simple solutions
that any Filipino can do.
After the event, we checked out the items in IKEA and I am happy I went home without a single purchase! Also, we found the exit and didn’t turn into a meatball!
