한국에서 처음 시도되는 ‘이케아랩’...홈퍼니싱에 ‘지속가능성’ 실험 시작하는 이유<br /><br />While many industries are trying to lower their carbon footprint, the sustainability movement is also spreading to home furnishing.<br />A special pop-up that encourages customers to think about the environmental impact of their furniture has launched in the center of Seoul.<br />Our Choi Jeong-yoon went to check it out.<br />In the corner of Seoul's up-and-coming Seongsu neighborhood, a somewhat unique building grabs people's attention.<br />It's the 'IKEA Lab', a pop-up aiming to drive a sustainable home furnishing movement in Korea and around the world.<br />"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?"<br />This ordinary looking chair is re-cycled out of the waste plastic and wood like the pile of materials below.<br />And these energy-saving curtains are made from plastic bottles. They break down pollutants when combined with natural sunlight.<br />Bamboo is another sustainable resource,...which grows 30 times faster, and generates twice the oxygen of other types of plant.<br />"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."<br />The furniture giant is putting sustainability as its core value for next year... hoping to make all its products recyclable by 2030.<br />"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."<br />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.<br />"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..."<br />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.<br />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.<br />Choi Jeong-yoon, Arirang News.<br />
