From uniform to upcycled: IKEA’s sustainable accessories Line

Over the past few years, IKEA uniform recycling has become a major sustainability project within the company. Instead of discarding old workwear, the home furnishings giant transformed thousands of uniforms into new accessories.

In this article, I’ll show you what these accessories look like, walk you through the process, and let you know where you can buy them.

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What happened to IKEA’s old uniforms?

Between 2020 and 2022, Ikea gathered around 300 tons of uniforms from its European stores for this new project. While most of the collection consisted of used clothing, some pieces had never even been worn.

The old uniforms can be seen in the photo below.

Trucks brought the collected clothes to a central location, where workers shredded the fabrics down to individual fibers. These fibers were then spun into new fabrics. However, because recycled fibers are shorter than those in new materials, they lack the strength needed for items like chairs. Such furniture must endure frequent use and friction, so manufacturers opt for more durable materials instead.

IKEA uniform recycling and the VÄXELBRUK collection

Ikea decided to use the recycled fabrics for accessories that endure less friction. The items in the VÄXELBRUK collection are simple: cushions, curtains, throws, and bags.

The bag clearly shows the yellow and blue colors of the original uniforms. In contrast, these signature shades are much less visible in the other items. That’s no coincidence, it’s a deliberate choice by IKEA. Instead of dyeing the fabrics, they chose to mix in other industrial textile scraps in different colors. As a result, the yellow and blue tones appear softer and more subtle in the final designs.

Problems with IKEA’s new uniforms

This is the first time Ikea has repurposed fabrics for other products. According to the press release about VÄXELBRUK, they applied this skill directly to their own uniforms. When staff received the new uniforms, they quickly discovered that one of the shirts was see-through. As a result, they took the shirts back, shredded them, and created a new, thicker fabric.

To be honest, this doesn’t surprise me. From the moment IKEA announced the rollout of new uniforms, it was clear that the designs came from their own in-house team, the same people who usually design wardrobes and sofas. Naturally, that’s bound to lead to issues. After all, workwear isn’t fashion, as many experts often point out. And it’s certainly nothing like furniture. Still, IKEA chooses to do things their own way and, impressively, they manage to keep it sustainable.

If you’re curious about the recycled accessories, don’t wait too long. Since it’s a limited collection, it’s only available in a select number of stores across Europe.

Want to read more about recycled workwear and uniforms?

Also check:

• DHL turns old company uniforms into accessories
• Reuse workwear: creative ways to give old clothing a second life

Best regards,

Aileen

Last update: 14/05/2026