Democratic Designs Days is IKEA’s annual global press event, where all media and publications gather to get a sneak-peak into the company’s innovative products for the home. This year, there was a large spotlight on sustainability and IKEA’s manufacturing process, including renewable energy solutions. We picked four of our favourite eco-friendly projects from the original list, as published in AD India.
MUSSELBLOMMA
With its beautiful soft colors, this collection is all about preserving our oceans and also reversing some of the damage that has been done due to plastic waste. In fact, this quirky and bright collection is made from PET waste that got stuck in fishing nets in the Mediterranean Sea and features cushion covers, a bag, and tablecloth with a pattern that resembles fish.
SAMMANLÄNKAD
Renewable energy is the name of the game for this light collection and IKEA is partnering with a social enterprise called Little Sun that aims to take sustainable energy to communities around the world that do not otherwise have reliable energy resources. In specific, Little Sun and IKEA are making solar panels specifically for Little Sun’s projects in sub-Saharan Africa. Not only is Little Sun giving these households access to energy, but also creating jobs and significantly impacting infrastructure.
IKEA x Tom Dixon
Want to breathe easy in your home and have access to your own food? IKEA is working with industrial designer Tom Dixon to create versatile products that encourage urban farming. The idea is that urban farming can reduce our carbon footprint and also help reduce wastage of food and water. Not to mention, the minimal and stackable design makes it ideal for homes with space constraints, so it becomes an accessible solution for every household.
FORANDRING
Trendy home accessories like storage boxes, baskets, and lamps were created out of recycled rice straw in North India, a region of the country where pollution due to the burning of the straw is high. This upcycled collection has lovely blends of greys, blacks, and blues to symbolize the smog and a hope for a brighter future.
