IKEA has launched its long-awaited UK Buy Back scheme, which allows customers to exchange their used furniture for vouchers worth up to 50% of their original cost.
The initiative, which was originally set to launch in November last year before the pandemic forced store closures, is intended to promote reuse and combat throwaway culture that often results in second-hand furniture being sent to landfills.
Peter Jelkeby, Country Retail Manager and Chief Sustainability Officer for IKEA UK & Ireland, said the Swedish retailer is 'committed to making sustainable living more affordable, attractive and accessible'.
'Through Buy Back we hope to make circular consumption mainstream; making it easier for customers to acquire, care for and pass on products in circular ways.'
How will the IKEA Buy Back scheme work?
The Buy Back scheme will give sellers a voucher worth up to 50% of the original cost of their IKEA furniture, depending on its condition.
The second-hand items will then be resold in a dedicated area of the Swedish homeware giant's stores, to be known as Circular Hubs. In select stores, these items will be accompanied by 'Pre-Loved' labels filled in by previous owners sharing their history.
Depending on the condition of the furniture traded in, the voucher could be worth as much as 50 percent of the original price:
As new – no scratches: 50% of the original price
Very good – minor scratches: 40% of original price
Well-used – several scratches: 30% of original price
The voucher card will have no expiry date, in order to encourage customers to only purchase new items when they really need something.
What items are eligible for the Buy Back scheme?
Eligible items for Buy Back include dressers, office drawer cabinets, small structures with drawers, display storage and sideboards, bookcases and shelf units, small tables, multimedia furniture, cabinets, dining tables and desks, chairs and stools without upholstery, chests of drawers and children's products.
Baby items and products containing glass or textiles will be excluded from the scheme, as will any item which has been modified or 'hacked'.
How can I find out what my old IKEA furniture is worth?
To find out if your old IKEA furniture is eligible and how much you could receive in vouchers, just fill out a simple online offer request on the IKEA website to instantly generate an estimate.
If you're happy with the preliminary offer, you will be invited to bring the offer and the fully assembled product to the Returns & Exchanges desk in your nearest store, where you can receive your IKEA voucher card to spend in store.
The scheme is operational in all but two of the UK's full-sized IKEA stores from 5th May 2021, with Reading and Belfast completing the launch on 17th May.
And if you're looking to pick up a bargain, IKEA has launched a collaboration with online marketplace Gumtree to promote its recovered products online.
Just search the #CircularHub hashtag on Gumtree’s search tool to browse what's available - and if you find something you love, you can reserve it with a click, and then collect it from the associated IKEA store.
If sustainable living is your passion, don't miss our feature on creating an eco-friendly kitchen and our round-up of essential sustainable travel accessories.
