DS Smith has announced that it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 19% compared to 2019/20.
Further to this, the company also replaced more than one billion pieces of plastic ahead of schedule, and achieved an ‘A’ rating on climate change from the global environmental non-profit CDP.
The progress is detailed in DS Smith’s latest sustainability report, which sets out the business’ commitments across key focus areas of circularity, carbon, nature, and people and communities.
Exceeding its target to replace over one billion pieces of plastic across DS Smith’s international markets and doing so more than a year ahead of schedule, is a key highlight from the report. Guided by its now and next sustainability strategy, meeting the milestone supports DS Smith’s Circularity objectives of designing out waste and keeping materials in use for longer.
The now and next sustainability strategy was refreshed last year to help the business prioritise circularity, accelerate the journey to net zero, and strengthen the business’ focus on people & communities, and nature. Propelled by the now and next strategy, DS Smith seeks to lead the transition to a low carbon, circular economy in support of its purpose to redefine packaging for a changing world.
Miles Roberts, group chief executive of DS Smith, commented, “I am delighted with the progress we have made on our now and next sustainability strategy as detailed in our latest sustainability report. I am immensely proud of our team for exceeding our plastic replacement target more than a year early, continuing to reduce our greenhouse gas emission year-on-year, and securing recognition as a sustainability leader by CDP.
“We believe that our now and next sustainability strategy is leading our industry, so while it is right to celebrate our colleagues’ achievements, we also know we need to keep moving forward and are working with our customers to ensure that together we can lead the transition to a low carbon, circular economy.”
