IKEA 'bags' plastic, paper for good

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. As of today (Oct. 1), IKEA will no longer be offering plastic or paper bags at any of its U.S. stores. The bag offering will only include reusable bags.

With the introduction of its leadership 'bag the plastic bag' program in March 2007, IKEA set a goal of reducing its U.S. stores' plastic bag consumption by 50%--from 70 million to 35 million plastic bags in the first year. The call was to go reusable, particularly focusing on the iconic IKEA blue bag for 59 cents. The retailer continued to offer plastic bags for five cents, with all proceeds going to American Forests to plant trees to restore forests and to help reduce CO(2) mission. According to the company, presently 92% of its customers said 'no more plastic bags.'

"The success of this program clearly demonstrates that like IKEA, our customers care about our global home," said Pernille Spiers-Lopez, president of IKEA North America. "They have let us know that they're looking at ways to be environmentally responsible in their everyday lives. Plus, the huge increase in our reusable blue bag sales tells us that our bold step to end plastic bag sales has been welcomed by our customers across the nation."