Thursday 1 October 2020

IKEA to stop selling non-rechargeable alkaline batteries by 2021

IKEA has announced the phaseout of all non-rechargeable alkaline batteries by October 2021.

The initiative aims to inspire consumers to use sustainable alternatives, reduce waste at home and save money.

Several life cycle assessment studies showed after ten charges of rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries, greenhouse gas emissions were lower compared to using alkaline batteries to store the same amount of energy.

In 2019, IKEA sold about 300 million alkaline batteries globally.

The retail giant estimates if all its customers replaced traditional batteries with rechargeable alternatives, used them to power high-drain devices and recharged them 50 times, the annual global waste reduction would be as much as 5,000 tonnes.

Caroline Reid, Sustainability Development Manager at IKEA Range and Supply, said: “We are on a journey to inspire and enable people to live healthier and more sustainable lives within the boundaries of the planet.

"By phasing out alkaline batteries and focusing on our range of rechargeable batteries, we are taking one step on that journey offering customers an affordable and convenient solution to prolong the life of products and materials and reduce waste."