As a pioneer of Nordic design, Iittala embraces the essence of Nordic living. It’s about functional and refined aesthetics along with a deep respect for the progressive ideas and Nordic values that shape our way of life.

At Iittala, we are committed to creating a sustainable future. This starts with our design—we don’t just create beautiful objects, we believe in design that will stand the test of time.

As part of Fiskars Group, we promote change with three long term sustainability commitments:
•    against throwaway culture
•    for a carbon neutral future
•    for increased joy

Read more about Fiskars Group’s sustainability report and Fiskars Group’s goals.

We continue to push boundaries by committing to a sustainable future, working with the best creative minds, investing in product development and thinking responsibly from the beginning of the design process, creating innovations, and by questioning familiar ways and experimenting with new opportunities.

 

Iittala Glass Factory to reduce annual CO2 emissions by 74% by the end of 2026

At every step of the way Iittala strives to minimize its impact on the environment and enhance the brand’s sustainability. As part of Fiskars Group we are investing approximately EUR 10 million in our Iittala glass factory in Finland. Due to the investment the factory's annual CO2 emissions will be reduced by 74% by the end of 2026.

The Iittala glass factory, founded in 1881, will replace the existing gas-powered glass melting furnaces with new electricity-powered furnaces. The new furnaces incorporate high technology solutions and will use renewable energy. The project will start in 2023 and be completed during 2026.

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100 % recycled glass collection

Our recycled items are created with extra thoughtfulness for the planet. Every piece is made from 100% recycled glass materials produced from waste glass at the Iittala Glass Factory in Finland. Recycled glass saves natural resources, compared to production from virgin materials. The special manufacturing process makes each recycled item one of a kind as each piece showcases its own distinct colour, ranging from cool blues to calming greens and earthy neutrals.

Our aim is to reuse most of the waste glass from our glass factory as raw material for new products in the future. At the Iittala Glass Factory, waste glass is generated in the post processing of mouthblown glass, in the pouring of molten glass and in quality control. At our glass factory we’ve already reached the target that no waste glass is sent to landfill, but is re-used, as a raw material for the construction industry in the manufacture of insulation materials, and today as much waste glass as possible is also recycled to create items for the 100 % recycled glass collection.

As a result of the continuous research, revolutionary forms of design make their entrance as the recycled ceramic Teema mug sees the light of day in autumn 2022. Also, the Meno felt bags turn into 100% recycled polyester.

Read more and explore our recycled collection.

 

Vintage service: bring and collect new memories

Our Vintage Service inspires new memories. We’ve always created our products with lasting design, durability and high-quality materials in mind. That’s why we want to encourage the longevity of our items through our Vintage Service. This new recycling stream lets you buy and sell used tableware in participating Iittala stores’ ever-evolving instore collection of vintage pieces.  The Vintage Service launched in Finland in 2019 and in Sweden in 2021.
To better understand the environmental savings when buying previously owned tableware instead of purchasing entirely new products, we conducted an assessment with Helsinki Metropolitan Area Reuse Centre Ltd to calculate how much natural resources and CO2 emissions were saved during a year.

Results showed that all Vintage products sold during 2019 saved over 133 tons of solid natural resources and over 45 t CO2 emissions. In 2020, despite the impact of store closures in Finland due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 165 tons of solid natural resources and 56 t CO2 emissions was saved during the year.

We hope to expand Vintage service in other markets soon.
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The kitchenware service

In 2021, Iittala became a part of the kitchenware service as a means to further promote circular economy. The service provides a sustainable alternative to ownership and allows for complete reuse and recycling of products.

All brands involved in the kitchenware service are part of Fiskars Group. Through the kitchenware service, tableware, cutlery, drinking glasses and cookware are available from the same service effortlessly for a monthly fee. The goal is to provide new alternatives to traditional ownership.

Ecological choices, urbanization, small homes and ever-changing life situations are shaping the relationship with ownership. In particular, the young generations prefer sharing, borrowing and leasing. As a new set of needed tableware, cutlery, drinking glasses and cookware can be chosen each year and the number of products can be adjusted according to the user's own needs as life situations change, the service offers a sustainable and convenient way to update the atmosphere at home by setting the table differently.

Tableware that customers return to the store is properly recycled for reuse or is sold via the Vintage service.

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Helping save the Arctic with WWF

Alongside our core work, we take measures to protect the environment by cooperating with external partners and sponsoring their important work in environmental protection.

Every year, we pick a colour from our treasured glass colour library and bring it to life in glass items of the highest quality and timeless aesthetics. The Glass colour of the year for 2019 was sea blue, a colour inspired by the north, where the sea is an ever-changing portrait of the four seasons.

With the colour of the year, Iittala partnered with WWF Finland. For every sea blue product bought in Finland during 2019, we contributed 2.5% of sales towards helping WWF's initiative to protect the Arctic.