Swedish home-furnishing giant IKEA says its Canadian stores are now completely energy independent—a goal the retailer wants to reach globally by 2020.
With green energy programs in several provinces, IKEA said it now produces more than double the renewable energy it takes to power its 12 Canadian locations.
To highlight its ongoing environmental efforts, IKEA hosted an all-day event in downtown Toronto on Earth Day (April 22).
In fact, the Swedish retailer’s public event featured 10 power-generating bikes hooked up to an LED sign that states “We’re for making our own power.”
The public was asked to bring their leg power and take part in the event at Toronto’s Dundas Square from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m. on Wednesday.
Along with the human-powered bikes and the LED sign, Tree Canada was also at the event to demonstrate spruce tree plantings. Attendees who arrived early enough could take home a potted spruce tree.
In Alberta, IKEA operates a wind farm that can generate a massive amount of power—enough to power approximately 32 IKEA stores or 15,000 homes.
Meanwhile, in Ontario, three IKEA stores have about 2,000 solar panels.
And at a new Winnipeg location, a geothermal system creates 70% of the store’s heating and cooling power, the company said in a press release.
It’s all part of IKEA’s ongoing green activities.
Globally, IKEA said more than three-quarters of its cotton comes from “sustainable sources.”
“Over 700,000 solar panels are now installed on IKEA buildings worldwide and we’ve committed to own and operate 224 wind turbines,” said the company’s website.
IKEA also recently purchased a massive windfarm in Texas.
