Editing IKEA (section)

===Product life cycle===
To make IKEA a more sustainable company, a product life cycle was created. For the idea stage, products should be flat-packed so that more items can be shipped at once; products should also be easier to dismantle and recycle. Raw materials are used, and since wood and cotton are two of IKEA's most important manufacturing products, the company works with environmentally friendly forests and cotton, whereby the excessive use of chemicals and water is avoided.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/reports-downloads/sustainability-strategy-people-and-planet-positive.pdf |title=IKEA Group Sustainability Strategy 2016 |access-date=23 February 2017 |archive-date=26 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226181231/https://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/reports-downloads/sustainability-strategy-people-and-planet-positive.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

IKEA stores recycle waste and many run on renewable energy. All employees are trained in environmental and social responsibility, while public transit is one of the priorities when the location of stores is considered. Also, the coffee and chocolate served at IKEA stores is [[UTZ Certified]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.utz.org/better-business-hub/strengthening-your-reputation/from-store-to-farm-traceability-in-action-at-ikea/|title=From store to farm – traceability in action at IKEA – UTZ.org|website=UTZ.org|access-date=19 May 2016|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817184547/https://utz.org/better-business-hub/strengthening-your-reputation/from-store-to-farm-traceability-in-action-at-ikea/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The last stage of the life cycle is the end of life. Most IKEA stores recycle light bulbs and drained batteries, and the company is also exploring the recycling of sofas and other home furnishing products.