IKEA sets to remove non-rechargeable alkaline batteries by 2021

IKEA wishes to inspire consumers who need to frequently use batteries to make a switch to rechargeable batteries

Following furniture brand, IKEA’s commitment to inspire and enable people to live a healthier and more sustainable life at home, all non-rechargeable alkaline batteries will be removed from the global home furnishing range by October 2021.

With this decision, IKEA, a three-time winner of the World Branding Awards, wishes to inspire consumers who need to frequently use batteries to make a switch to rechargeable batteries. Regular use over time enables consumers to both save money and reduce waste at home.

Several current comparative Life Cycle Assessment studies show that the environmental impact of alkaline batteries is higher compared to rechargeable nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH) when used in common household devices that have high energy consumption and are therefore charged on a regular basis – such as toys, flashlights, portable speakers or cameras.

Already after 10 charges of a rechargeable NiMH battery, such as the LADDA range sold in IKEA stores, greenhouse gas emissions are lower as compared to using alkaline batteries to obtain the same amount of energy. When about 50 charges are reached, the overall environmental impact of NiMH batteries is equal or even less than the impact of using alkaline batteries.

“Consumers who need to frequently use batteries can benefit by replacing alkaline with rechargeable batteries. There are substantial savings to be made overtime – on the environment as well as their wallets. IKEA globally sold about 300 million alkaline batteries last year, so we see great potential to inspire our customers to adopt new behaviours and use rechargeable batteries to their full potential“, says Emelie Knoester, Business Area Manager at IKEA Range & Supply.

In FY19, IKEA sold about 300 million alkaline batteries globally. Calculations indicate that if – hypothetically – all IKEA customers switched from ALKALISK alkaline batteries to LADDA rechargeable batteries, used them for high-drain devices and charged them just 50 times the global waste reduction would be as much as 5,000 tons on an annual basis. As one LADDA battery can be charged up to 500 times, the potential to reduce additional waste exists.

“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”, says Caroline Reid, Sustainability Development Manager at IKEA Range & Supply.

The commitment applies globally and includes the ALKALISK range of alkaline batteries. At this point, the lithium-ion button cell battery called PLATTBOJ will be kept in the range as some applications currently being sold by IKEA require a button cell battery to function.