Renowned Swedish home furnishing brand, IKEA, continues to spearhead sustainable initiatives in the Philippines through its franchisee Ikano Retail.
The company recently unveiled a comprehensive overview of its sustainability direction and a report card showcasing its progress towards the 2025 sustainability targets.
Covering the financial year from September 2022 to August 2023, the report emphasizes IKEA’s unwavering commitment to inspiring healthy and sustainable living, adopting a circular and climate-positive business model, and fostering an inclusive corporate culture.
In the Philippines, IKEA has solidified its stance as a proponent of sustainable living, making it accessible to a broad audience by offering a diverse range of sustainable home solutions and affordable, eco-friendly food items. Noteworthy is the sale of over a million sustainable home furnishing items in the country last year, including energy-saving bulbs and furniture crafted from sustainably sourced materials. Impressively, 73% of home furnishing products in IKEA Philippines now incorporate renewable or recycled materials.
This commitment extends beyond products to the company’s workforce, where over 90% of employees express a strong sense of purpose in contributing to environmental practices. IKEA Philippines has set ambitious targets, aiming for 50% of its main restaurant meals to be plant-based by 2025, achieving a commendable 33% last year.
IKEA’s focus on circular business practices is evident in its recycling and waste management efforts, with initiatives to electrify home deliveries.
In the Philippines, the company successfully recovered and refurbished over 10,000 products, promoting a circular economy and demonstrating its commitment to quality standards and innovation. The recycling program achieved a 61% recycling rate for paper and plastic waste, with a notable 70% reduction in food waste compared to the previous year.
As part of its sustainability drive, IKEA Philippines has intensified its use of sustainable transport through a partnership with electric vehicle company Mober. Making significant progress toward its 2025 goal of achieving 33% electric vehicle deliveries, IKEA is contributing to a more sustainable approach to transportation.
Since its opening in 2021, IKEA has become a beloved brand in the Philippines, not only for its sustainable retail practices but also for its positive impact on people and communities.
Achieving gender balance in its workforce, the company collaborates with social enterprise Rags2Riches, positively impacting 250 families through upcycling initiatives.
IKEA Philippines stands as a beacon of sustainability in the retail industry, leveraging its success to inspire positive change. The company’s commitment to embracing the Philippines’ drive for sustainability positions it as a leader, urging other businesses to adopt similar practices and contribute to building a more sustainable future for all.
