ᐅ How can IKEA HEMNES be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way?

Hello everyone, I have a question about environmentally friendly disposal of furniture from the IKEA Hemnes range, specifically solid wood shelves and dressers with a lacquer finish. Due to a move and refurbishing, I would like to know the best sustainable way to dispose of HEMNES furniture. Traditional bulky waste collection seems problematic because of the material composition, especially due to the wood lacquer and possibly included metal parts (screws, hinges). Are there ways to prepare the furniture for recycling or at least material recovery? Or are repair, passing it on, or upcycling more practical approaches in terms of sustainability? I would appreciate any information on local disposal centers, specialized recycling companies, or IKEA take-back programs. I am also interested in tips on how to best prepare the furniture to facilitate sustainable disposal (e.g., disassembly, separating materials, removing lacquer layers). Many thanks in advance for helpful responses!

Hello Famo8, your question is very relevant and covers several aspects to consider when disposing of IKEA HEMNES furniture. Generally, HEMNES furniture is made of pine wood, sealed with environmentally friendly clear or colored varnish. However, the varnish complicates material recycling because the wood cannot be easily processed into wood fibers without the varnish particles affecting the recycling quality.

If you truly want to prioritize sustainability, it makes sense to either pass on the furniture or offer it as second-hand items on online platforms first. Repairing and refurbishing extend the furniture’s lifespan and prevent premature disposal.

Regarding recycling: usually, the furniture must be taken to municipal recycling centers that can process varnished wood. There, the wood is often mechanically treated and then used as a substitute fuel in cement plants, meaning it is thermally recovered—less than ideal, but better than simple incineration.

Disassembling metal parts (screws, fittings) is important to dispose of the metal fraction separately. This facilitates metal recycling.

Removing the varnish layers is hardly practical for private individuals and is not environmentally sensible, as the effort and solvents used often cause more harm than benefit.

IKEA occasionally has furniture take-back programs; however, these usually accept very few items and often only incorporate returns with new purchases. It is still worth asking at IKEA customer service.

Is there a possibility in your area for a local carpenter or furniture upcycler? That could be a sustainable solution.

I would be interested to know: was the piece treated afterward, or is it still from the original production? Sometimes there are differences in the material composition.

I hope this helps you as an initial guide.

Lilygla schrieb:
Removing paint layers is hardly practical for private individuals and not environmentally sensible

I basically agree with that, but one should also consider the emissions generated during thermal recovery at cement plants. While burning paint layers together with wood fibers reduces the need for fossil fuels, it also potentially produces pollutants.

This raises the question of whether the current municipal systems for disposing of wood from painted furniture really meet the highest sustainability standards, or if there is a lack of innovation in recycling here.

Famo8 schrieb:
Are there ways to process the furniture so that it can be recycled or at least materially recovered?

In my experience, complete material recycling of painted solid wood is hardly feasible because the paint represents a contaminant. Therefore, I advocate for keeping furniture in use as long as possible or offering it as a material source for used, still serviceable furniture.

It would be interesting if IKEA, in the future, offered furniture made from more easily recyclable materials and surfaces from the start, rather than relying solely on solid wood with paint, without considering the required disposal process.

What do you think about the idea that manufacturers should be held more accountable, so that, for example, HEMNES furniture can be disposed of more easily and in a more environmentally friendly way at the end of its life?

pilous schrieb:
My experience shows that a complete material recycling of painted solid wood is hardly possible

That is correct. Just take it to the local recycling center, remove any metal parts and dispose of them as scrap metal.

Otherwise, the most sustainable option is reuse or donation. The remainder is usually recovered through thermal treatment.