한국에서 처음 시도되는 ‘이케아랩’...홈퍼니싱에 ‘지속가능성’ 실험 시작하는 이유

While many industries are trying to lower their carbon footprint, the sustainability movement is also spreading to home furnishing.
A special pop-up that encourages customers to think about the environmental impact of their furniture has launched in the center of Seoul.
Our Choi Jeong-yoon went to check it out.
In the corner of Seoul's up-and-coming Seongsu neighborhood, a somewhat unique building grabs people's attention.
It's the 'IKEA Lab', a pop-up aiming to drive a sustainable home furnishing movement in Korea and around the world.
"As you enter, the laboratory gives you some questions to think about: How much plastic is around you? Have you ever thrown away something that could’ve been used more? Do you take your electricity and water for granted?"
This ordinary looking chair is re-cycled out of the waste plastic and wood like the pile of materials below.
And these energy-saving curtains are made from plastic bottles. They break down pollutants when combined with natural sunlight.
Bamboo is another sustainable resource,...which grows 30 times faster, and generates twice the oxygen of other types of plant.
"With such vivid displays, I could get the message clearly... it's not so difficult to engage in saving the earth. I just have to think before buying and learn about the materials."
The furniture giant is putting sustainability as its core value for next year... hoping to make all its products recyclable by 2030.
"We are on a good way I would say...70 percent of all our products are sustainable, and we will continue developing that we also want to make sure we go from mass consumption to mass circulatory."
Long hours spent at home due to COVID-19 have led to a 33-percent increase in profits here as people felt the need to refurnish their homes.
"Korea in general is one of the most progressive countries in the world I would say. So we felt that Seoul and Korea is perfect for a concept that is experimental, pushes the limits..."
The store also aims to promote sustainable eating through its 'food lab', which offers delicacies with a low carbon footprint... as well as low calories.
The six-month pilot project hopes to emphasize the value of sustainability in our daily lives, reminding us that small habits can change the planet.
Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.