IKEA customers who have tired of their flat pack furniture will now be able to sell items back to the retailer for resale as secondhand, in a “buy back” initiative which aims to help the retailer become fully circular and climate positive by 2030.

Under the scheme, customers who want to sell their flat pack IKEA dressers, drawers, cabinets and tables back to the retailer will get vouchers to spend at IKEA stores, the value of which depends on the condition of the furniture they are selling back.

Customers with “as new” items, with no scratches, will get 50% of the original price, “very good” items, with minor scratches, will get 40% and “well used”, with several scratches, will get 30%. Products must be returned “fully assembled.”

IKEA said vouchers will have no expiry date to encourage customers to purchase items only when they are needed. Anything that cannot be resold will be recycled or donated to charity.

By 2021, IKEA plans to have dedicated areas in every store where people can sell back their old furniture and find repaired or refurbished furniture.

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living. She also offers content services to businesses and individuals at Rosamedea.com