IKEA offers to buy back used furniture from customers in Milton Keynes as part of brilliant new recycling scheme

And the second-hand goods can then be snapped by bargain hunters in a special section of the store.

The famous Swedish furniture giants are launching the new recycling initiative to help the company become more sustainable and carbon neutral.

Under the Buy Back scheme, people will be given vouchers worth up to half the value of the goods they return, depending upon the condition.

Any products in good condition will be given a second life and sold at bargain prices, while well-used ones will be recycled to make new furniture.

There will be a dedicated 'bargain' area in the MK store where people can find repaired or refurbished treasures that have been sold back.

Sideboards, bookcases, shelving, small tables, office drawers, dining tables, desks, chairs and stools without upholstery all qualify for the scheme. Some children's products will also qualify.

Peter Jelkeby, retail manager for IKEA in the UK and Ireland, said: “Sustainability is the defining issue of our time and IKEA is committed to being part of the solution to promote sustainable consumption and combat climate change.

“With the launch of Buy Back we are giving a second life to many more IKEA products and creating more easy and affordable solutions to help people live more sustainably. It is an exciting step forward in our journey towards becoming a fully circular and climate positive business by 2030.”

The Buy Back scheme will be launched in IKEA stores across the UK and Ireland on 27 November. The date also coincides with Black Friday shopping discount day.

Customers returning that are in a “as new” condition, with no scratches, will receive a voucher worth 50 per cent of the product’s original value.

Items that are classed as “very good”, featuring minor scratches, will get a voucher worth 40 per cent, while goods that are “well used”, with several scratches, will get back the equivalent of 30 per cent of the cost.

Customers will be required to register a request for return online. Shoppers should then return the item, fully assembled, to the returns desk where it will be checked and the final value agreed.

IKEA has pledged that anything that cannot be resold will be recycled.