A Billy bookcase and some wind power? Ikea is now selling renewable energy

Ikea is known for its cheap, disposable furniture, but in the past few years, it has been making moves to reduce its toll on the environment. The company set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2030, and to achieve that, it’s implementing buyback programs and making its products more efficient. This week, it announced an even more surprising shift: starting in September Swedish households will be able to buy renewable energy from the company.    Ikea’s parent company already owns 547 wind turbines and two solar farms, which means this isn’t just an altruistic move from the world’s largest furniture retailer—it could be a serious revenue driver as well. Read Elissaveta M. Brandon’s story here. — Co.Design Editors   A Billy bookcase and some wind power? Ikea is now selling renewable energy It’s the latest move toward a carbon-neutral future for the company, Ingka Group, which owns most Ikea stores worldwide.   READ MORE   Is building tall really best? Researchers dispel the myth of climate-friendly skyscrapers According to a new study, a neighborhood of skyscrapers results in about 140% more total emissions than a lower-rise area with the same population, like most Parisian neighborhoods.   READ MORE   Lululemon plans to make leggings from plants But they still won’t be biodegradable, pointing to the complexities of developing products that are truly gentle on the environment.   READ MORE   How the cofounders of Ephemeral reinvented tattoos to make them last just a year Cofounders Brennal Pierre and Vandan Shah came up with a new kind of biodegradable tattoo ink.   READ MORE   How Andi Owen turned Herman Miller into a modern design juggernaut The latest power move by the Herman Miller CEO: her recent bid to acquire Knoll for $1.8 billion.   READ MORE

Meet the mastermind inventing fast food’s wildest menu items (Cheetos mozzarella stick, anyone?) Dena vonWerssowetz is the queen of cheese.   READ MORE

Support strength in journalism Join Fast Company Premium for $1   If you don’t want to receive Compass anymore, unsubscribe here. If you were forwarded Compass and like it, subscribe here. View this newsletter online. 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10007-2195