IKEA Canada Celebrates Earth Day with a List of Ten Easy Tips for a More
Sustainable Life at Home

BURLINGTON, ON, April 8 /CNW/ - In preparation for Earth Day, IKEA is offering solutions that enable customers to live a more sustainable life at home. These everyday tips can help individuals save energy and water, and minimize waste - simple measures that contribute to a better world and help save on household expenses.

IKEA recently launched the Never Ending List, a program that outlines the leading home furnishings retailer's commitment to taking social and environmental responsibility towards its customers, coworkers and suppliers. Over 100 stories of IKEA's sustainable accomplishments and environmental tips can be found throughout the store, and on-line at www.ikea.ca/theneverendinglist.

"IKEA has developed hundreds of products and solutions that make it easy for our customers to live a more sustainable life at home," says Kerri Molinaro, President of IKEA Canada. "By implementing a few of these easy tips, customers can take pride in creating a home that contributes to a healthier planet, and helps them save money."

    
    Top 10 tips from IKEA to Live a More Sustainable Life at Home:

    1.  Choose toys that are safe for kids and better for our planet. The
        MULA collection is a series of safe and durable wooden toys that
        stimulate children's creativity.

    2.  Opt for solar lighting, both indoors and out. The SUNNAN work lamp
        combines low-energy LED technology with solar panels. For every
        SUNNAN sold in IKEA stores worldwide, one will be donated through
        UNICEF to children in Pakistan. These lamps enable children to read,
        write and study in the evenings, even if their homes have no
        electricity.

    3.  Cut down on food waste by storing and using leftovers. Using food
        storage containers such as RARITET can help cut down on wasted CO2
        emissions from food production, as well as waste.

    4.  Use less water. Make sure your faucets are using as little water as
        possible. The RINGSKÄR tap comes with a flow control function, which
        can adjust the water flow in two steps and reduce water use by 30 per
        cent.

    5.  Recycle at home. The RATIONELL easy-to-clean sorting bins help
        organize and recycle household waste simply and easily.

    6.  Dispose of batteries and compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in a
        responsible way. Since 2001, IKEA has offered a "Free Take Back"
        recycling program - even for non-IKEA brands.

    7.  Go organic whenever possible. Organic agriculture excludes the use of
        synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and strives to
        maintain biodiversity and ecological balance. Organic SYLT jams are
        one of the many organic food products sold in the Swedish Food Market
        at IKEA.

    8.  Buy furniture and accessories made from waste materials. The LUSY
        BLOM cushion is stuffed with leftover material from the production of
        other IKEA products.

    9.  Skip the dryer and let clothing air-dry. Instead of using an energy
        heavy dryer, hang laundry on the TVÄTTA drying rack instead.

    10. Unplug computers and TVs when not in use. A power-strip that can be
        turned on and off, such as KOPPLA, prevents energy loss and can save
        up to 10 per cent on your electric bill.
    

As Canadians join together to celebrate Earth Day, it is important to remember that working towards a more sustainable future is a never ending job. See the full list and follow IKEA's progress at: www.IKEA.ca/theneverendinglist

About IKEA

IKEA is a leading home furnishings retailer with 267 stores in 25 countries worldwide, which are visited by 590 million people every year. IKEA Canada has 11 stores which are visited by over 25 million people every year. Last year the ikea.com websites attracted 561 million visitors. Founded in 1943, IKEA's business philosophy is to offer a wide range of products of good design and function at prices so low, the majority of people can afford them. For more information on IKEA, please visit: www.ikea.ca.

For further information: or images please contact: Tamara Robbins Griffith, National Public Relations Specialist, IKEA Canada, T: [phone] x6237, [email protected]