As part of efforts to inspire and enable people to live healthier and more sustainable lives at home, IKEA will be removing its non-rechargeable alkaline batteries from its global range by October 2021.
The Swedish franchise hopes customers who use batteries frequently will make a switch to rechargeable solutions, as it saves money while also reducing waste with regular use over time.
“We are pleased to be phasing out ALKALISK alkaline batteries from the range globally and increasing the focus on our rechargeable batteries,” said Lars Svensson, the Sustainability Director for IKEA Southeast Asia & Mexico.
The ALKALISK batteries will be phased out with the existing LADDA range, which are rechargeable nickel metal hydride batteries (NiMH) that can be charged up to 500 times.
For your information, rechargeable NiMH batteries have less environmental impact than alkaline batteries when used in high-energy-consuming devices that are charged on a regular basis - such as toys, flashlights, portable speakers or cameras.
After 10 charges, rechargeable NiHM batteries such as the LADDA range emit lower greenhouse gas than alkaline batteries do when obtaining the same amount of energy.
“There are substantial savings to be made over time – on the environment as well as our wallets – when we adopt new behaviours and use rechargeable batteries to their full potential,” Svensson added.
To put things in perspective, if IKEA customers bought the same amount of LADDA rechargeable batteries as they did non-rechargeable ALKALISK batteries last year, global waste would be reduced by as much as 5,000 tons a year!
Good on you, IKEA!
by Kyle Roshen Jacob
