Q: What do you do with leftover IKEA hardware?

Over at the IKEAhackers Community FB Group, Christina posted an interesting question:

“What do you all do with leftover IKEA hardware? I have so many bits of things even for pieces I no longer own … any suggestions?”

She mentions that she is selling some of the leftover … “but all the little screws, etc. would be hard. Is there someone that you can sell to that resells them?”

Terry then shared a photo of his leftover bin.

Christina replies she also has a leftover bin. A few of them!

Raise your hand if you have a bin like that too.

Same here. I have leftover hardware but I do tried to keep them to a minimum. Here’s what I do.

Sort, recycle, repurpose, return

Mostly, I’ll sort and recycle the paper and plastic bits which I doubt I’ll ever need again. Some parts are so oddly shaped it’s not likely you’ll ever use them anywhere else. So, don’t think about it. Just drop them off at the recycling center.

My local IKEA has a recycling and buy-back center which takes paper, plastics, aluminum and metal. (For metal, they need a minimum of 1kg to buy back. So I have a tub to collect old screws, etc.) I also drop off any old bulbs and batteries there for proper disposal.

Others, especially useful things like brackets and dowels, I’d always keep for my other projects. They are in my “one day might need” bin.

And then, there are hex keys. The ubiquitous IKEA hardware.

I don’t have enough to do this hex maze yet. But seriously, #lifegoal.

Another popular suggestion is to return them to IKEA. They will take them as spare parts and dump them in the “help yourself” bins with all the spare parts you can take for free. (Sadly, these bins aren’t available at my local IKEA.)

IKEA hardware not included in sell-back program

In some countries like Canada and Australia, IKEA has a sell-back program. It lets customers apply to sell their gently-used IKEA products back to the retailer, in exchange for store credit. IKEA will in turn give the product a second-life through resale or donation.

But this program does not extend to parts.

So what do you do with the leftover IKEA bits and bobs?

Share your ideas with us in the comments below.

The post Q: What do you do with leftover IKEA hardware? appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

Comments

SKÅDIS: 5 ways to make the IKEA pegboard even better

IKEA introduced its own pegboard system, SKÅDIS, two years ago and I’d say it’s one of the best systems IKEA launched in recent years. I love how super customisable it is, with a growing range of accessories that help keep things organized. It works everywhere, in your wardrobe to bathroom . Probably anywhere you have a flat surface to hang it up. Photo: IKEA.com SKÅDIS pegboard system See it on IKEA.com But no matter how perfect a system, you can trust IKEA hackers to improve on the SKÅDIS. And they’ve settle these 5 issues you may have faced with the handy IKEA pegboard. Read on for their fixes. 5 IKEA SKÅDIS issues and fixes #1 Expensive hooks? You’ll need quite a number of hooks and accessories to fill up the SKÅDIS pegboard, and Kenyer was shocked at how quickly they all added up. So he figured he could make his own hooks to save cost. Photo: Kenyer Over at Instructables , he shows us how to twist copper wires into the SKÅDIS hook shape. It works s...

KALLAX desk ideas: Three ways to set up a workstation

Three great ideas for a KALLAX desk . #1 Compact, minimalist desk for laptop I put together a KALLAX desk for my laptop for just under 25 euros. Just a KALLAX 2×2 is needed. No other materials required. IKEA item used: KALLAX 2 x 2 (77 x 77 cm) KALLAX 2×2 | IKEA.com All you need to do is assemble 3 of the pieces in a U shape. That is all. If you want to strengthen the structure you would need to drill a couple of holes in order to use the long middle shelf of the KALLAX unit as a back reinforcer. Easy and it works. ~ by Fabio Tudela #2 KALLAX standing desk I choose to stand at work because it makes me feel infinitely more productive. Our department recently moved into a new building and we had the opportunity to design our own spaces. Items Used: VIKA AMON / TORNLIDEN table top x 2 (discontinued, replaced by LINNMON ) KALLAX 4 cube x 2 KALLAX drawer unit x 2 8 – 3″ locking casters / wheels 1 – 6′ zinc brace I had a few VIKA AMON tables ...

Hackers Help: How to remake cam lock holes?

I want to put a 78.5” wide PAX configuration in a 77” space for a kids room . My plan is to eliminate the drawer on the right unit, then cut the shelves and rails to be 1.5” narrower. My question is, how do people attach two laminated pressboard IKEA pieces after they’ve cut off the cam lock holes? Related: See more Hackers Help questions and answers . Are they using drills bits and/or tiny hole saws to remake the cam lock holes? Or screws drilled in from the outside with wood glue? The outside pieces won’t be visible in my completed setup so I could go either way. I’m curious what other people are doing, either I haven’t seen this detail in past hacks or I haven’t been paying attention. ~ by Jenny *** Hi Jenny The best and tidiest method is to use the cut-off portion as a template to reproduce the same cam lock holes in the correct positions. The right sized drill bits and a Forstner bit should do the trick. A Forstner bit will drill a flat-bottomed hole (...

Martin Cooper

Search This Blog