Have you ever bought furniture from IKA and then threw it out during a move since you could always buy a new one right?!
At the World Economic Forum this month in Switzerland, the furniture giant previewed a plan that could put an end to that bad behavior.
IKEA chief executive Jesper Brodin was there to accept the circular economy award, which the company won for its work toward sustainable resource usage.
Jesper Brodin said in his speech that the company is testing out furniture buyback and rental programs to reduce furniture waste, partly through economic incentives.
"You build in a consciousness with consumers that they don't have to own it, but own this collectively in the world and recycle it."
Interest in the program varies by the region, Brodin said, "In London, for example, there are a lot of people who commute and they are not interested in building a second home, so rental there is more interesting."
IKEA is testing the buy-back program In Japan, where customers can sell back sofas for recycling.
The company has tested take-back programs in select markets, such as Finland, for about two years.
IKEA Family program members in Finland receive a gift card for returning furniture, which IKEA then donates to local charities.
In the United States last Earth Day, customers could return furniture for a coupon for $20 off a $150 IKEA purchase.
IKEA's Managing Director of Range and Supply Peter van der Poel said in a press release, "so they can be repurposed, repaired, reused, resold or recycled in any other way."