A small but important change is happening inside IKEA's famous flatpacks. Starting in 2025, the company will begin replacing its plastic fitting bags – the ones that hold screws, bolts, and Allen keys – with a new paper-based version. This move is expected to reduce plastic usage by 1,400 tons per year.
This update is part of IKEA's long-term goal to eliminate plastic in consumer packaging by 2028. Switching to paper-based bags may seem like a minor adjustment, but with the enormous number of flatpacks sold worldwide, the total impact becomes significant.
The new bags are made from paper that includes wood waste from production. They are being produced internally at IKEA factories in Slovakia and China.
To ensure strength and durability, the new bags still have a thin plastic coating. However, they are fully recyclable. IKEA is currently testing alternatives to replace that coating with renewable materials in the future.
Real-life photo of a VITVAL bunk bed kit – plastic wrapping is still commonly used in fittings and packaging. IKEA is now shifting toward paper-based alternatives.
In 2025, IKEA will start using the paper-based bags in stages. They will appear in:
New collections like STOCKHOLM 2025
Selected parts of the ongoing PAX and KALLAX product ranges
The rollout will take time. Customers may still receive plastic bags in their flatpacks during this transition, but more and more products will come with the new version by 2028.
This packaging shift is led by IKEA Components, the company responsible for sourcing and packing IKEA's fittings and hardware. According to IKEA, the decision comes after several years of testing different materials. The chosen paper bags are produced using leftover wood material and are designed for in-house manufacturing.
The change reflects IKEA's wider Plastics Out Agenda, an initiative aimed at replacing virgin plastic with renewable or recycled materials across all packaging. IKEA believes that even small improvements – like a new fitting bag – are crucial steps toward a more sustainable future.
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