Swedish furniture chain Ikea is to phase out single-use plastic products within two years.
It announced that it was acting to promote a more sustainable life for consumers amid growing concerns about the effects of plastic on the environment.
“We don’t have all the answers yet but we are working together with our suppliers to find solutions that are good for both people and the planet,” a spokesman commented.
On the list to be switched or ditched is plastic straws, plates, cups, freezer bags, bin bags, and plastic-coated paper plates and cups. If possible alternatives will be found to replace them.
This follows an announcement by Ikea to phase out oil-based plastics and plans to scrap plastic packaging by 2023.
It is also looking to ensure its plastic products are made from recyclable materials by August 2020.
Ikea, which has 363 stores globally, is looking at promoting products to enable people to live sustainably, such as a tap nozzle that could save more than 90% of water used.
“Through our size and reach we have the opportunity to inspire and enable more than 1 billion people to live better lives, within the limits of the planet”, Torbjörn Lööf, the chief executive of the retailer’s parent Inter Ikea group, said.
The retailer has already invested in windfarms and added solar panels on its stores as part of its commitment to have renewable energy in its stores by 2020.
Other retailers such as Iceland, Tesco and Waitrose, have also committed to ditching plastic in varying ways.
