DS Smith has reported significant achievements in its latest Sustainability Report, highlighting substantial progress towards its environmental goals.
The company has reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 19% compared to the 2019/20 period and surpassed its target of replacing 1 billion pieces of plastic, achieving this milestone over a year ahead of schedule. Recognizing its efforts, the global environmental non-profit CDP awarded DS Smith an 'A' rating for its climate change initiatives.
The report details several key highlights. In the area of circularity, DS Smith exceeded its plastic replacement goal, reduced landfill waste by 19% compared to the previous year and optimized 90% of new packaging designs for customer supply chains. In terms of carbon reduction, the company achieved a 5% reduction in total Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions from last year, and a 19% reduction from 2019/20 levels. Additionally, a €90 million investment in a biomass boiler at the Rouen paper mill is expected to save 99,000 tons of CO2 annually.
The company achieved a 12% year-on-year reduction in workplace accidents. Additionally, all 14 of DS Smith's paper mills have successfully completed biodiversity activities, further showcasing their dedication to environmental stewardship.
The company’s progress is driven by its Now & Next Sustainability Strategy, which was refreshed last year to prioritize circularity, accelerate the journey to Net Zero, and emphasize the importance of people, communities, and nature. A partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation has been instrumental, with 800 DS Smith designers trained in Circular Design Principles and Metrics. These metrics have influenced over 100,000 packaging design decisions, focusing on areas such as recycled content, recyclability, and supply chain parameters.
Miles Roberts, Group Chief Executive of DS Smith, expressed his satisfaction with the company's progress on its Now & Next Sustainability Strategy, as highlighted in the latest Sustainability Report. He praised the team for surpassing the plastic replacement target over a year ahead of schedule, continually reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and earning recognition from CDP as a sustainability leader. Roberts emphasized that while celebrating these achievements is important, the company remains focused on collaborating with customers to drive the transition to a low carbon, circular economy.
DS Smith's ongoing dedication to sustainability and circular economy principles firmly establishes the company as a frontrunner in the packaging industry, driving positive environmental change on a global scale.
TAPPI
http://www.tappi.org/