DS Smith launches campaign called 'for now and for the future'

As reported by Adn Kronos, DS Smith , a leading company in the multi-sector packaging sector, has launched an initiative called "for the present and the future" in which it concretely commits to taking decisive steps towards the sustainability of its production chain. Let's see which ones.

DS Smith , the sustainable packaging company, today launches its new sustainability strategy, "For Now and Forward", which outlines commitments and goals for the next decade.

DS Smith will continue to focus on the transition to a circular economy by working with customers, communities, governments and opinion leaders to encourage recycling and regenerate natural systems, and will continue to focus on reducing CO2 by protecting biodiversity and reducing water consumption.

“It is essential that our drive to redefine packaging continues to place circularity at the center of our business, as providers of solutions that respond to the new needs of an ever-evolving world - declares Miles Roberts, CEO of DS Smith - new strategy allows us to go beyond our robust circular business model, allowing us to provide more sustainable solutions to our customers and society at large, replacing plastic, reducing CO2 emissions from our supply chain and providing alternative recycling solutions" .

The strategy defines three fundamental pillars , together with a constant commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% compared to 2015 and to protect the forests and biodiversity in which it operates. Closing the loop through better design, it will produce 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2023, and its goal is to recycle or reuse all of its packaging by 2030.

• Protect natural resources by leveraging every fiber : By 2025, it will optimize fiber use for individual supply chains in 100% of its new packaging solutions, and by 2030 it aims to optimize every fiber for all supply chains.

• Reduce waste and pollution through circular solutions : By 2025, it will remove 1 billion pieces of plastic from supermarket shelves, take 250,000 trucks off the road and work with partners to find solutions for difficult-to-recycle packaging. Meanwhile, by 2030 it aims to use packaging and recycling to enable the circular economy, replacing plastic, reducing customers' carbon emissions and eliminating consumer packaging waste.

• Offer tools to people to lead the transition towards a circular economy : by 2025 it will involve 100% of its staff in the circular economy, and by 2030 it will involve 5 million people in adopting appropriate lifestyles.

“For now and for the future”, explains Wouter van Tol, Head of Sustainability , Community and Government Affairs, “positions DS Smith at the forefront of the packaging sector and defines a clear roadmap to address the immediate challenges, working towards at the same time to meet the needs of the next generation, creating solutions in line with the principles of the circular economy.

By taking a whole systems approach, we have a tremendous opportunity to make significant progress on our environmental, social and governance responsibilities.”

Following measurable progress against its nine long-term sustainability goals, the 'For Now and Future' sustainability strategy was introduced as part of a vision and strategic review to achieve the title of leading supplier of sustainable packaging.

Last year, DS Smith achieved a number of sustainability milestones , including an 11% reduction in emissions in 2019 compared to 2015 on a like-for-like basis and 100% engagement in community programs across its site that employs more than 50 people.

It produced more than 17 billion boxes in 2019/20 and is Europe's largest recycler of paper and cardboard, handling 6 million tonnes a year and recycling more than it consumes. DS Smith is one of 16 strategic partners of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the recognized global authority on the circular economy.

By Adn Kronos

Photo: DS Smith