FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
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Ikea to stop selling non-rechargeable alkaline batteries by Oct 2021

Ikea to stop selling non-rechargeable alkaline batteries by Oct 2021

Ikea announced it will remove non-rechargeable alkaline batteries from its global home furnishing range by October 2021, hoping customers who use batteries frequently will make the switch to rechargeable solutions, saving money while also reducing waste over time.

“We are pleased to be phasing out Alkalisk alkaline batteries from our range globally and increasing the focus on our rechargeable batteries,” said Lars Svensson, sustainability director for Ikea Southeast Asia and Mexico. “We hope this enables many in Southeast Asia to opt for an affordable and convenient rechargeable battery, prolonging the life of products and materials while also reducing waste and saving money.”
The nickel metal hydride (NiMH) range of Ladda batteries can be charged up to 500 times. Several current studies show that rechargeable NiMH batteries have a lower 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 and cameras, Ikea said.
After 10 charges, a rechargeable Ladda battery sold in Ikea’s stores emits lower greenhouse gas than alkaline batteries when obtaining the same amount of energy.
Ikea sold about 300 million alkaline batteries last year around the globe. Customers at its stores in Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia bought some 3.4 million packs of non-rechargeable Alkalisk batteries.
Hypothetically speaking, if all Ikea customers switch from alkaline batteries to rechargeable ones for high-draining devices (and charge these just 50 times), global waste can be reduced by as much as 5,000 tonnes a year, the store said.
At this stage, 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, it added.

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