Ikea chooses less bulky, recyclable paper pallets

As part of its effort to reduce its carbon footprint, Ikea in Canada is now  working with paper pallets in all its stores. Paper pallets are recyclable, designed to fit Ikea products and are optimized to fit trucks and containers so that the need to ship bulky wooden pallets back  and forth is eliminated, says the company. So far, the global estimate is that more than 50,000 fewer trucks a year will be on the road, resulting in lower carbon emissions.

“I firmly believe that we must lead by example and at Ikea Canada we are taking effective measures to minimize the impact of our business on the environment,” says Kerri Molinaro, president of Ikea Canada. “The paper pallet initiative is one example of the continuous effort we make to reduce our carbon footprint.”

Currently the company is in a heavy period of expansion and will ensure that the five newest Canadian stores are 40% more efficient than the last wave of stores built in the early 2000s. New stores will incorporate many sustainable and environmental features such as geothermal and other high efficiency systems for heating and cooling as well as monitoring systems that significantly reduce energy consumption.

Additional features include water conservation systems, low-energy lighting throughout and skylights that reduce day-time energy use.

Source: Pulp and Paper Canada