IKEA launches kitchen made from recycled materials

IKEA has launched a range of sustainable kitchen fronts called KUNGSBACKA which are made from recycled PET-bottles and wood.

PET-bottles are made from the recyclable material polyethylene therephalate, but aren’t often recycled and end up as waste in landfills. The innovative production of the KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts means that a large quantity of PET-bottles are recycled and are used to replace virgin oilbased plastic which is harmful to the environment.  

Around twenty-five half-litre PET-bottles are used to create a plastic foil which coats the reclaimed wood kitchen fronts, creating a sustainable kitchen without compromising on quality, design or price. 

The KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts will be available from February, initially launching in matte-look anthracite but with new colours, such as white, potentially coming in the future. 

Anna Granath, product developer at IKEA says:

“What we do at IKEA has a big impact on the environment due to the large quanitites we produce so by using recycled materials, we can create products which are more environmentally-friendly and sustainable.”

“Our ambition at IKEA is to increase the share of recycled materials in our products so we are looking into new ways to re-use materials, such as paper, fibre, foam and plastic, so that we can give them a new life in a new product.”

David Vine, IKEA UK & Ireland Kitchens Business Leader said:

“The new KUNGSBACKA range is a start in turning everyday waste into beautiful furniture. At IKEA we are very conscious of the impact of waste, knowing that plastic bottles take up to 1,000 years to decompose and that 70% of all PET bottles end up in either landfill or worse in our seas and oceans, is of concern. Today, 90% of waste created in the kitchen is recycled but few think about the kitchen itself, we hope that the launch of this range will help people to think about the materials that are in their home furnishings and create a more sustainable home setting.”

This production method is set to be a big contributor to IKEA’s sustainability agenda, with products in the future, such as the REINSVOLL wardrobe doors which launches in August 2017, featuring the recycled foil. 

Like all IKEA kitchen fronts, the KUNGSBACKA range has 25-year guarantee and is suitable for existing METOD cabinets.

The KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts will be available from February, in all IKEA stores and online.

Source: Insight DIY & IKEA PR Team

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