Sustainability at IKEA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15626/Eco-Tech.2010.008Keywords:
A better everyday life for the many people, Low price but not at any price, IWAY, IKEA - a sustainable company, The Never Ending JobAbstract
IKEA has its roots in Småland, historically one of Sweden’s poorest regions, so hard work and economizing with resources have always been part of our heritage. We’ve been making a lot out of very little for more than 60 years. Based on a deep knowledge of people’s lives at home, IKEA offers good quality, durable and functional home furnishing products for everyday life today. We are completely committed to our vision to create a better everyday life for the many people. This commitment extends to our suppliers and all who work for them. The IKEA Way on Purchasing Products, Materials and Services (IWAY*) is the IKEA Supplier Code of Conduct. It states the IKEA minimum requirements relating to the Environment and Social & Working Conditions, including the prevention of child labour. IWAY and all of its activities are dependent upon co-operation, mutual trust and respect between the supplier and IKEA.
Initially, flat packs and smart ways of transport were invented to save money. Over the years, we have learnt that saving money and the environment usually go hand in hand and rarely conflict with each other. During the past 10 to 15 years, we have developed our Sustainability Program where we work on responsible forestry, water treatment, cotton grown in a more sustainable way and many more projects, together with partners such as WWF.* Current IKEA social projects in partnership with UNICEF, UNDP and
Save the Children will have benefited 100 million children by the end of 2015. This includes a lot more than just providing a great home furnishing offer. It is also about taking social and environmental responsibility towards IKEA customers, coworkers and the people who produce our products. The decision to integrate sustainability in all IKEA business strategies is a milestone for our continued work towards becoming a sustainable company.