Wondering what to do with your old IKEA products? Or, wanting to find an IKEA steal? Well, good news.
In an Australian first, Sydney’s IKEA Tempe store has announced it’s first ‘take-back’ service, allowing customers to bring back any of their old IKEA furniture in exchange for a store voucher.
The store’s new initiative comes as a response to findings from IKEA Australia’s annual People & Planet Positive Report 2018, which reveals that it’s possible Australians have thrown away 13.5 million pieces of furniture that could have been recycled, reused and repaired.
Kate Ringvall, Ikea Australia’s sustainability manager, said: ‘We know from our research that more than half the population have thrown out an item of furniture in the last 12 months, but that a quarter would have kept it if they knew how to repair or reuse it.
‘We want to make it easy for people to give their Ikea furniture a second life. With millions of customers shopping with us every year, we have an opportunity to make a real difference in helping build a more sustainable life within the means of the planet.’
This will also benefit those who are looking to score some affordable IKEA products. The service will ensure that all returned items are in good condition before being resold again to new customers.
Ringvall adds, ‘Our co-workers will ensure all of the pieces of the items brought back are…in good working condition before finding a new home.’
So, how does it all work?
Ringvall says: ‘When customers submit the photos of their item online via the Ikea Tempe Take-back page, they will start a conversation with an Ikea representative to ensure their product fits the criteria.
‘The value of the voucher offered in exchange for the item will be up to 50 per cent of the retail price of the product. The assessment will be based on the condition of the item and how long ago it was purchased.’
Although this service is only being introduced at the IKEA Sydney Tempe store, if the program is successful the company will look to roll out the service nationally.
Ringvall explained, ‘This is part of a broader sustainability strategy where Ikea is aiming to be 100 per cent circular by 2030, meaning we will only use renewable and recyclable materials in our range.’
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