IKEA's recycling program is one of the most ambitious among major retailers, with a furniture buy-back program (up to 50% of original price), free in-store CFL bulb recycling, mattress haul-away with delivery, and packaging recycling. The IKEA Sustainability Promise (2030 commitment) drives much of this - they're targeting 100% renewable + recycled materials by 2030. This guide covers all their US programs, what they accept, and how to extract maximum value.
IKEA programs available (US, 2026)
| Program | What they accept | Cost / Payment |
|---|
| Buy Back & Resell | IKEA furniture in good condition | Up to 50% of original price (store credit) |
| Mattress Take-Back | Any condition mattress | Free with new mattress delivery |
| CFL + LED Bulb Recycling | Any brand bulb | Free at every US store |
| Packaging Recycling | Cardboard + plastic film from IKEA delivery | Free at most stores |
| Furniture Donation | Working furniture | Free pickup by some local non-profits via IKEA partnership |
| Battery Recycling | Single-use + rechargeable | Limited locations, free where accepted |
Buy Back & Resell program (IKEA's furniture buy-back)
The most-talked-about IKEA program. How it works:
- Get a quote: take 1-3 photos of your IKEA furniture, upload to ikea.com/buyback OR via the IKEA app
- Receive quote within 24 hours: typically 30-50% of original IKEA price
- Schedule drop-off OR delivery: small items dropped at store; large items collected
- Quality inspection at store: minor cosmetic damage acceptable, structural damage may reduce price
- Receive store credit: paid as IKEA gift card, never expires
- Furniture re-listed: in IKEA Buy Back section + sold at 25-50% off new price
Items eligible for Buy Back:
- BILLY bookcase
- KALLAX shelf unit
- BESTÅ TV storage
- MALM chest of drawers
- LACK side table
- POÄNG chair
- HEMNES dresser
- PAX wardrobe
- Most KITCHEN cabinet doors + drawers
- BRIMNES bed + chest
NOT eligible:
- Mattresses (separate program)
- Mirrors + glassware (breakage risk)
- Soft furnishings (cushions, rugs, throws)
- Items more than 10 years old (often discontinued)
- Items missing key parts or significantly damaged
Typical Buy Back values (May 2026):
- BILLY bookcase (80x202cm): bought new $79, buy-back $25-$40
- KALLAX 4x4 shelf: bought new $179, buy-back $60-$90
- MALM 6-drawer chest: bought new $179, buy-back $50-$90
- POÄNG chair: bought new $99, buy-back $30-$50
- HEMNES 8-drawer dresser: bought new $349, buy-back $100-$175
IKEA Mattress Take-Back
When buying a new mattress from IKEA + delivery service, IKEA hauls away your old mattress for free. The old mattress goes to:
- Donation to local non-profits (when condition allows)
- Mattress recycling partner (DR3 Recycling or local recyclers)
- Last resort: landfill
For mattresses without new IKEA purchase: take to County HHW or MRC drop-off if in CA/CT/RI. See Mattress Recycling Near You.
IKEA Bulb Recycling
Every US IKEA store has a CFL + LED bulb recycling bin near the recycling station after checkout. Accepts any brand bulb, max 10 per visit. The program partners with Call2Recycle for processing.
IKEA Packaging Recycling
If you have cardboard + plastic film from IKEA delivery:
- Cardboard: drop in store recycling bins OR your curbside paper recycling
- Plastic film: drop in IKEA's plastic film bin (at most US stores) OR Walmart/Whole Foods plastic bins
- Bubble wrap + air pillows: same as plastic film
- Plastic strapping bands: trash (multi-material laminate)
IKEA Furniture Donation (alternative to Buy Back)
For non-IKEA furniture or items that don't qualify for Buy Back:
- IKEA partners with local Habitat for Humanity ReStore in many cities - call ahead for pickup
- Direct donation to local charities (Goodwill, Salvation Army, women's shelters)
- Tax-deductible receipt available from receiving non-profit
- Fair Market Value estimate: $20-$200 per item depending on condition + size
IKEA Sustainability Promise (2030)
By 2030 IKEA commits to:
- 100% renewable + recycled materials in all products
- Climate positive operations (carbon negative for entire supply chain)
- Circular product design (every product designed for reuse, repair, recycling)
- Healthy + sustainable food: 100% plant-based options + reduced packaging
- Equal pay for equal work: gender pay parity
Buy Back + Take-Back programs are central to their circular economy strategy.
How IKEA recycling compares to other furniture retailers
| Retailer | Furniture buy-back | Mattress take-back | Bulb recycling | Packaging |
|---|
| IKEA | YES (up to 50% of original) | Free with new purchase | YES, free | Free at most stores |
| Wayfair | No | Free with new mattress | No | No |
| Pottery Barn / West Elm | No | Free with new mattress | No | No |
| Article | No | No | No | No |
| Crate & Barrel | No | No | No | No |
| Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Donation only | Free pickup of clean | No | No |
IKEA is the only major US furniture retailer with a meaningful buy-back program.
Cost benchmarks (USA, May 2026)
- IKEA Buy Back: 30-50% of original price as store credit
- IKEA Mattress Take-Back: free with new mattress purchase + delivery
- IKEA Bulb Recycling: free
- IKEA Packaging Recycling: free at most US stores
- Standalone mattress recycling (no IKEA purchase): $20-$80
- New IKEA furniture replacement: 50-200% increase over Buy Back value
Sources
- IKEA Sustainability Promise 2030 (ikea.com/sustainability)
- IKEA Buy Back & Resell program (ikea.com/buyback)
- IKEA Mattress Take-Back program
- DR3 Recycling national mattress recycler
Last verified: 2026-05-23. IKEA programs + Buy Back values vary by region + store. Verify current pricing + acceptance at ikea.com or your local IKEA store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IKEA buy back old furniture?
Yes - the IKEA Buy Back & Resell program pays up to 50% of original IKEA price as store credit for furniture in good condition. Upload 1-3 photos at ikea.com/buyback, get quote within 24 hours, schedule drop-off or collection. Eligible items: BILLY bookcase, KALLAX, BESTÅ, MALM, LACK, POÄNG, HEMNES, PAX, kitchen cabinets, BRIMNES. NOT eligible: mattresses (separate program), mirrors, soft furnishings, items 10+ years old.
How much does IKEA pay for old furniture?
Typical Buy Back values (May 2026): BILLY bookcase $25-$40 (originally $79), KALLAX 4x4 shelf $60-$90 ($179 new), MALM 6-drawer chest $50-$90 ($179 new), POÄNG chair $30-$50 ($99 new), HEMNES 8-drawer dresser $100-$175 ($349 new). Paid as IKEA gift card that never expires.
Does IKEA take old mattresses?
Yes when buying a new mattress + delivery service - haul-away is free. The old mattress goes to donation (when condition allows), mattress recycling partner (DR3 Recycling or local), or last resort landfill. For mattresses without new IKEA purchase: take to County HHW or MRC drop-off if in CA/CT/RI. See /guides/mattress-recycling-near-you.
Does IKEA recycle light bulbs?
Yes - every US IKEA store has a CFL + LED bulb recycling bin near the recycling station after checkout. Accepts any brand bulb, max 10 per visit. Free. Partners with Call2Recycle for processing. Does NOT accept linear fluorescent tubes (take those to Lowes, Batteries Plus, or HHW).
Can I recycle IKEA packaging?
Yes - cardboard from IKEA delivery goes in store recycling bins OR your curbside paper recycling. Plastic film + bubble wrap: drop in IKEA's plastic film bin (at most US stores) OR Walmart/Whole Foods plastic bins. Plastic strapping bands: trash (multi-material laminate).
How do I donate furniture to IKEA?
Two paths: (1) Buy Back & Resell for IKEA furniture in good condition (pays you 30-50% of original price); (2) IKEA partners with Habitat for Humanity ReStore in many cities for non-IKEA furniture - call ahead for free pickup. For working furniture donations: Goodwill, Salvation Army, women's shelters all accept with tax-deductible receipt.
What furniture is NOT eligible for IKEA Buy Back?
Mattresses (separate take-back program), mirrors + glassware (breakage risk in transport), soft furnishings (cushions, rugs, throws), items more than 10 years old (often discontinued or no longer in current catalog), items missing key parts or significantly damaged. For these, use IKEA's mattress take-back program or donation to non-profits.
Is IKEA Buy Back available at all US stores?
Yes - available at every US IKEA store. The Buy Back program operates online with photo submission + quote, then schedules drop-off at your nearest IKEA. Some larger items get pickup service. Smaller US markets have the program but slower turnaround vs major metropolitan areas.
What about IKEA's sustainability commitments?
IKEA's 2030 Sustainability Promise: 100% renewable + recycled materials in all products, climate positive operations (carbon negative entire supply chain), circular product design (every product designed for reuse + repair + recycling), 100% plant-based food options + reduced packaging, gender pay parity. Buy Back + Take-Back programs are central to the circular economy strategy.
Why does IKEA have such a robust recycling program?
Multiple reasons: (1) sustainability commitments + brand positioning; (2) circular economy creates revenue from refurbished + resold furniture (Buy Back items resell at 25-50% off new); (3) reduces waste sent to landfill (state mandate compliance in 25 US states); (4) customer loyalty (program brings repeat customers); (5) cost-effective vs alternative disposal (their delivery logistics enable free haul-away).