IKEA U.S. has initiated a pilot program in collaboration with Vanguard Renewables, a BlackRock portfolio company, to convert food waste from select store locations into renewable natural gas (RNG) and low-carbon fertilizer. The pilot is currently underway at five IKEA stores across Wisconsin, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Illinois, focusing on diverting food waste from restaurants, bistros, and Swedish Food Markets. This initiative is part of IKEA’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes a €1 billion investment in circular solutions to address global challenges and build sustainable infrastructure.

Vanguard Renewables operates anaerobic digesters that process organic waste into RNG, a clean energy source chemically identical to fossil-based natural gas. This partnership aligns with IKEA’s commitment to reducing pre-consumer food waste by 50% over the past seven years, equivalent to saving 83,000 meals. The collaboration also supports Ingka Group’s Circular Investments portfolio, which focuses on scalable circular solutions across the value chain. Following the pilot, IKEA plans to expand the program to additional stores nationwide.