IKEA stores across Canada, including Richmond’s location, plans to eliminate all single-use plastic from its home furnishing range by January 2020.
As a part of IKEA’s global commitment to people and the planet, the company will also phase out plastic items offered in their restaurants, bistros and cafes, including straws, cups, cutlery, plates and beverage stirrers.
“IKEA’s commitment to a prosperous and sustainable future is stronger than ever,” said Brendan Seale, head of sustainability for IKEA Canada.
“Removing single-use plastics from our stores is an important step in helping our customers and our company contribute to a world without waste.”
According to PlasticOceans.org, there are more than eight million tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year. Single-use plastic items, when not discarded properly, can pollute oceans and waterways and harm the homes of wildlife.
To reduce plastic pollution, businesses and consumers must work together to contribute to the change. IKEA says it’s determined to take part of the responsibility and make a difference.
IKEA also plans to take additional steps including designing new products that generate as little waste as possible, aiming for all products to be based on renewable materials by 2030 and offering services that make it easier for customers to bring products home.
“Our ambition is to become people and planet positive by 2030 while growing the IKEA business,” said Torbjörn Lööf, Inter IKEA Group CEO in a press release.
“Through our size and reach, we have the opportunity to inspire and enable more than one billion people to live better lives, within the limits of the planet.”
