Pets Take-Back Program

IKEA Australia has announced a collaboration with RSPCA NSW with the launch of a new take-back program for used sheets and bed textiles to create a cosy sleep retreat for animals in care.

As experts in sleep and the bedroom, IKEA is on a mission to ensure all Aussies (two-legged and otherwise) get the sleep they deserve. Having a good night's sleep is ensuring consumers have the right bedroom set up, and research conducted by IKEA found that 1 in 5 Australians share their bed with pets1.

The textiles take-back program will open this winter for one week between 6 – 14 July at the IKEA Tempe store. The first of its kind in Australia, customers will be able to bring in their old and unused bedding into IKEA which will be upcycled to create cosy beds for animals in need of adoption around Australia.

In addition, through the IKEA Family donation scheme where 10 cents of every purchase is collected for charity, IKEA Australia will be donating $10,000 to support animals in need so they too can have a better everyday life.

Kicking off the first weekend of school holidays, the IKEA Tempe store will also be holding a very special pet adoption Saturday where consumers can meet some of the animals up for adoption, while dropping off their textiles.

The collected bedding will be distributed amongst the RSPCA shelters in NSW, not only helping our furry friends but also providing an alternative to the limited options for getting rid of old textiles in a sustainable way.

Today there are very few ways to upcycle textiles in Australia, and insights from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicate that 500, 000 tonne of textiles end up in landfill in Australia every year.

IKEA research found that one-third of Aussies admit to throwing away home textiles when they no longer need it; however have the desire to donate their old bedding to charity to help someone in need (57%).

RSPCA NSW CEO Steve Coleman said, "RSPCA NSW cares for over 32,000 animals each year across the state - all of which require a lot of bedding for keeping them safe and sound. Thank you IKEA for helping make a lot of animals as cosy as possible this winter."

IKEA Australia Sustainability Manager, Melissa Miller said, "We know how important pets are to Aussies; with two thirds of households having pets2. We believe IKEA should help give not only people the best sleep possible, but also our canine and feline pals – especially those who are having a rough time."

"When we upgrade our bedding often our old sheets get thrown in the bin. Most of us would like to be able to donate them. Constantly finding another life cycle is part of IKEA's ambition to becoming a circular business by 2030, where nothing useful goes to waste. We hope that this encourages customers to reuse, recycle and repurpose." said Ms Miller.

IKEA is committed to creating a circular business by 2030, and the textiles take back program is another example of this. Last year IKEA Tempe launched a pilot IKEA furniture buy-back scheme; this program is planned to be rolled out across Australia by the end of 2019.

What: IKEA x RSPCA NSW Adoption Day and home textile donation launch
When: 6 – 14 July 2019
• Textiles collection is available between Saturday 6 July to Sunday 14 July
• Meet the animals who are looking for their forever homes on Saturday 6 July 11.30am – 2pm
• Meet the animals who are looking for their forever homes on Thursday 11 July 11.30am – 2pm
Where: IKEA Tempe, 634-726 Princes Hwy, Tempe NSW 2044
For further information about the IKEA x RSPCA NSW textiles take back, head to www.ikea.com.au/tempe