Ikea will begin leasing furniture as a trial initiative in Switzerland. Customers can rent pieces of furniture for a set period until it is no longer needed; the retailer will then refurbish the pieces and keep them in circulation and prolong their lifecycle, which means less waste and more recycling, according to Torbjorn Loof, chief executive of Inter Ikea, owner of the brand (via the Express).
Businesses will have the option to lease office furniture; homeowners can even borrow entire kitchen units, with the option of swapping them out for different colors and designs.
In December, Ikea announced a commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from production 80% in absolute terms by 2030 compared to its 2016 levels. The pledge is part of the company’s broader sustainability strategy.
Its recent initiatives include a purchase of about 25,000 acres of forest property in Alabama — its first US forest property — in a move to ensure sustainable procurement of resources, and a new store in Greenwich, London, opening this month, which will use solar panels to provide as much as 80% of energy needed and which will feature a fleet of electric vans and bikes for deliveries.
The retailer’s future store in Norfolk, Virginia, will also be equipped with solar panels, as well as electric vehicle charging stations.
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