IKEA Preowned Launches to Tackle Scope 3 Emissions
Swedish retailer IKEA has taken a significant step towards sustainability with the launch of IKEA Preowned in Spain. The second-hand furniture marketplace promotes circular economy principles, enabling peer-to-peer sales of used IKEA furniture while reducing waste and Scope 3 emissions.
A bold move towards circularity
IKEA’s latest initiative aligns with its ambitious goal of becoming a fully circular business by 2030. The platform facilitates the resale of IKEA products, extending their lifecycle and minimising waste.
By focusing on reuse, refurbishment and recycling, the company aims to tackle the challenging Scope 3 emissions — those produced by suppliers and customers.
Jon Abrahamsson Ring, CEO of Inter IKEA Group, highlights the company’s mission: “Sustainability is an integral part of our business and our commitment to make sustainable living affordable and accessible to the many. We maintain a long-term perspective and actively contribute to limiting our impact on climate change, reversing nature loss and securing equitable growth.”
Impact on Scope 3 emissions
- Category 1 | Purchased Goods and Services: Promoting second-hand purchases diminishes the need for new production, lowering emissions associated with material procurement.
- Categories 4 & 9 | Transportation and Distribution: Altering transportation patterns, such as fewer new product shipments and changes in customer travel and delivery logistics, contribute to emissions reductions.
- Category 6 | Business Travel and Category 7: Employee Commuting: Although less direct, a cultural shift toward sustainability could influence travel behaviours within IKEA’s operations.
- Category 11 | Use of Sold Products: Encouraging sustainable customer behaviour, such as reusing and repurposing furniture, indirectly reduces environmental impact during the product’s lifecycle.
- Category 12 | End-of-life Treatment of Sold Products: The platform focuses on extending product lifecycles, keeping furniture out of landfills and reducing waste-related emissions.
Circular economy in action
The IKEA Preowned platform embodies circular economy principles by:
- Encouraging reuse and recycling of materials
- Minimising waste and pollution
- Maximising resource utilisation
The initiative challenges the traditional linear “take-make-dispose” model, striving for a closed-loop system where resources remain used for as long as possible.
Challenges and industry implications
Despite its promise, the transition to a circular economy in the furniture sector is not without hurdles:
- The need for widespread adoption of sustainable practices across the industry
- Raising consumer awareness and demand for sustainable products
However, IKEA’s innovative entry into the second-hand market may serve as a catalyst for change. If successful, IKEA Preowned could inspire other retailers to adopt similar models, prioritising sustainability and product longevity over short-term gains.
Jesper Brodin, CEO of Ingka Group, shares his enthusiasm: “It has been a dream in the making and I’m excited that we are finally testing IKEA Preowned, our second-hand marketplace. We will start in Oslo and Madrid, yet the ambition is higher.”
Retail sustainability
With IKEA Preowned, the company is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable retail practices. By extending product lifecycles and reducing emissions, IKEA addresses pressing environmental challenges and sets a precedent for the entire industry.
The initiative reflects IKEA’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a sustainable future. As consumer expectations evolve, IKEA Preowned may be a game-changer, influencing the broader retail sector to embrace circular economy principles.
Make sure you check out the latest industry news and insights at Scope 3 Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Sustainability LIVE and Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.
Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today. Subscribe to the Scope 3 Magazine newsletter.
Scope 3 Magazine is a BizClik brand.
- Top 10: Sustainable Procurement StrategiesSustainable Procurement
- WEF, IKEA Highlight Scope 3 Emissions StrategiesSupply Chain Sustainability
- Evia Aero and Britten-Norman Address Scope 3 EmissionsTransportation & Logistics
- Global Scope 3 Emissions: A Corporate Sustainability ShiftScope 1 2 and 3