We suspect this post will kick off a maelstrom. We have a LOT of eco guilt about shopping at Ikea. But sadly, we do it anyway. Same old cycle of consumption...their stuff is affordable and fun so we're drawn to it, knowing full well that most of the stuff is made in China, the store's carbon footprint is gigantic and in the not too distant future the goods will fall apart and end up in the trash despite our best efforts to pass it on. It's not unlike an addiction. So we try to assure ourselves that IKEA IS trying to be more eco-conscious, at least in comparison to other giant corporations...
It's just like anywhere else - you pick the best items and purchase those in the hopes that your money will speak your conscience.
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
view EmmieB's profile
do i need all the things i buy @ ikea? yes. because i buy things there that i specifically went in to buy. and yes, it would be wonderful to buy all eco friendly at all times but the fact of the matter is, with me, budget prevails. its about moderation. life is a balancing act and i'm doing the best i can. whew. that felt good!
view conflictedthimble's profile
I don't shop at Ikea all that often, because (a) it's a hassle, (b) it's not close, (c) I don't need all that much stuff (which is why we're not shopping all that much to begin with, so maybe that should have been choice a).
What does mystify me is why some members of my family think that Ikea stuff is such high quality. It's okay, but I've never heard anyone else say that they thought it would last a lifetime, or use it as their benchmark.
view KateNonymous's profile
They just announced that there will be in an Ikea in Colorado -- south Denver. This is about 1.5 hours and 50 miles (one way) from where we live and yet everyone "is so excited!" Even if Ikea is on the eco-side of the big box stores, encouraging masses of people to drive so far to shop...when they could buy stuff around the corner is silly. I even imagine that out of curiosity I will one day find myself down there...
I didn't answer the survey, because I've only ever bought one thing -- the antelope high chair -- and it was online.
view Green Me's profile
I read this post yesterday and there were a lot of really thoughtful comments, like 40 of them. They've all disappeared except for the ones that don't disagree with the post.
view maidmoron's profile
those comments still exist maidmoron, just this is cross posted on apartment therapy also: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/surveys/survey-does-eco-guilt-stop-you-from-shopping-at-ikea--064103
view alicee's profile