PHOTOS: IKEA Unveils 10 Eco-Design Commandments at Copenhagen Design Week

<a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.copenhagendesignweek.com/category/design-zone/events/ten-stories-future" target="_blank">‘10 Stories for the Future’ </a>is an outdoor exhibition at this year’s <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.copenhagendesignweek.com/" target="_blank">Copenhagen Design Week</a> that features 10 <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/" target="_blank">IKEA</a> commandments and products that represent how the company is embracing responsible design. Through a story-telling journey of objects and words enclosed in glass and wooden boxes, the Swedish company demonstrate how they balance pricing and producing their products without compromising people or the environment.

<h3>1. Use Wood from Responsibly Managed Forests</h3> IKEA's first commandment is represented through their <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60178887" target="_blank">BEKVAM</a> wooden stool. The design shows a commitment to using and creating demand for FSC wood.

<h3>2. Lighten Up</h3> IKEA uses its own recyclable polypropylene plastic <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://inhabitat.com/amazing-amsterdam-office-built-entirely-from-wood-shipping-pallets/" target="_blank">pallets</a> instead of the standard wooden ones. This way they can adjust them to accomodate different products. The pallets also support additional weight, optimizing transportation and cost effectiveness.

<h3>3. Economize on Resources</h3> Material optimization is paramount to Ikea, and this can be see through the company's popular <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/10193734" target="_blank">LACK</a> table. The table is made from sturdy board-on-frame (BoF) and filled with recycled honeycomb paper.

<h3>4. Empower Women</h3> This commandment refers to a joint effort by IKEA, <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.unicef.org/" target="_blank">Unicef</a> and Dutch designer <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.jongeriuslab.com/" target="_blank">Hella Jongerious</a>. Through the <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/60154259" target="_blank">PS GULLSPIRA</a>, Jongerious quilted wall hangings that helped skilled Indian women in creating their own small businesses while preventing child labor.

<h3>5. LED Bulbs Keep Glowing</h3> IKEA has made the shift to LED's, and their <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00169635" target="_blank">JANSJÖ</a> lamp showcases the positive qualities of using the energy efficient bulbs: they are low-<a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://inhabitat.com/energy/" target="_blank">energy</a>, free of mercury, and remain cool to the touch.

<h3>6. Support More Efficient Cotton Production</h3> IKEA supports eco-friendly cotton production. This can be seen in the production of its <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/80154079" target="_blank">DVALA</a> bed linens, which are made from organic cotton that is less water-intensive and pesticide-free.

<h3>7. Make Smart Use of Materials</h3> IKEA focuses on using renewable, <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://inhabitat.com/mathias-bengtsson%E2%80%99s-zebra-like-biodegradable-paper-chair-brings-danish-design-to-the-cutting-edge/" target="_blank">biodegradable</a>, multifunctional and recyclable materials. Shown here, the <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20145479" target="_blank">NASUM</a> basket is made from dried banana trees trunks (waste), and the <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30151827" target="_blank">LUSY BLOM</a> cushions are stuffed with production leftovers.

<h3>8. Live a More Sustainable Life at Home</h3> The company is aiming to help customers reduce <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=water" target="_blank">water</a> consumption by promoting fitted pressure compensating aerators (PCAs), which reduce water use by more than 30%.

<h3>9. Sort Your Waste</h3> Recycling is key to reducing waste. IKEA’s <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00130092" target="_blank">RATIONELL</a> system helps people organize and recycle household waste in a simple and environmentally friendly way.

<h3>10. Design the Price Tag First</h3> The Swedish company carefully considers the use of raw materials, transport and production methods. This is exemplified in Ikea's <a title="IKEA Unveils their 10 Eco-Design Commandments at 10 Stories For The Future Exhibition within Copenhagen Design Week 2011" href="http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/30096100" target="_blank">LAMPAN</a> lamp, which features a lampshade that doubles as protective packaging to allow for a dramatic reduction in price.