Ikea has created an eco-friendly digital camera, made almost entirely from cardboard, to help promote its new PS furniture range.

The KNÄPPA flat-pack digital camera, designed by Jesper Kouthoofd, requires two AAA batteries and can be connected to a computer via a flip-out USB stick.

But the Swedish retailer insists it has no plans to move into the digital camera market. Instead it will give away the camera as part of a launch campaign around the new IKEA PS 2012 collection. Customers will be urged to upload images of their new furniture onto a dedicated PS website.

The PS 2012 range is based on designs from the company’s 60-year history, but includes more sustainable and renewable materials such as wood plastic composite, pocket springs for mattresses, linen, bamboo, recycled PET plastic, and LED lighting.

The company has also taken steps to increase its use of renewable energy, including the purchase last year of a Scottish wind farm and a plan to spend £4m installing solar panels on the roofs of 10 of its UK stores.