Ikea in Hong Kong gives to needy for Operation Santa Claus, takes on waste by reselling used goods
- The furniture giant is allowing 18 Operation Santa Claus beneficiaries to make HK$10,000 wish lists of Ikea goodies
- Managing director for north Asia says the company is making plans to ‘develop the second-hand furniture market’
Swedish furniture giant Ikea, which is helping create better homes for underprivileged Hongkongers through an annual charity drive for the third straight year, has added another good cause to its plate: recycling used items to reduce waste.
Last year, Ikea Hong Kong donated nearly 2,800 items, including furniture and accessories, to beneficiaries of Operation Santa Claus (OSC) – an annual fundraising drive jointly run by the South China Morning Post and public broadcaster RTHK since 1988.
Each of the 18 beneficiaries of this year’s OSC were able to create wish lists from Ikea’s website worth up to HK$10,000 (US$1,282), with requested items including light bulbs, crayons and shelving units. The goodies are being assessed by Ikea’s inventory team and will be delivered as soon as next month.
As part of its waste-reduction initiative, Ikea Hong Kong set up a bargain corner at its pickup point in Sai Wan Ho three months ago. Spanning 2,000 sq ft, the space is now home to display pieces, returned items, discontinued furniture and home accessories.
“Our plan within the next 12 months is to develop the second-hand furniture market,” said Adrian Worth, Ikea’s managing director for north Asia.
“Honestly, if you go back three years, there was virtually no interest. That’s changed a lot. By using something that’s previously owned, consumers feel like they’re doing their part for the environment,” he added.
“There’s obviously a financial aspect, something that’s previously owned will cost you less – that’s a bit of a win-win.”
Worth said he hoped the bargain corner could eventually purchase old furniture from customers, repair it if necessary, then give the items a second life as part of its global goal to be carbon-neutral by 2030.
“We’re not desperate to make a lot of money from this project, but we want to offer our furniture a second home rather than disposing of them in a landfill,” he said.
Recycling old products is just one way that Ikea strives to make a change, with the furniture retailer already donating HK$1 from every purchase of its ubiquitous blue bags to the aptly named Blue Bag Fund, which supports community initiatives.
