Ikea stops selling regular batteries, only allows rechargeable ones

Petteri Pyyny
1 Oct 2020 3:54

Furniture giant Ikea has decided to stop selling regular, non-chargeable batteries in its stores worldwide.
The change will come into effect in October 2021 after which date, company will only sell rechargeable batteries in its stores.

"By phasing out alkaline batteries and focusing on our range of rechargeable batteries, we are taking one step on that journey, offering customers an affordable and convenient solution to prolong the life of products and materials and reduce waste."
-Ikea Sustainability Development Manager Caroline Reid

According to Ikea, by switching to rechargeable batteries, customers could help it reduce more than 5,000 tons of electrical waste, as Ikea sold about 300 million standard alkaline batteries between September 2018 and August 2019. The 5,000 figure is based on calculation where company assumes customer would charge the rechargeable battery 50 times.
Source: Ikea press release