Sustainable packaging provider, DS Smith, has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 19% compared to 2019/20, 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. 

Guided by its ‘Now & Next Sustainability Strategy’ the company exceeded its target of replacing over one billion pieces of plastic across DS Smith’s international markets more than a year ahead of schedule.

The Now & 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.

The report highlighted the company’s reduction in Scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 5% compared to last year and -19% compared to 2019/20. DS smith engaged 9.8 million people on the Circular economy and circular lifestyles, according to the report. Additionally, the company reduced the amount of waste sent to landfill by 19% compared to last year.

A commitment to Circularity has aided the business’ progress on sustainability, supported by its partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. DS Smith’s 800 designers have been trained in circular design principles and circular design metrics created in partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. 

These help to assess performance against areas such as recycled content and recyclability, indicative estimated CO2 emissions, levels of excess waste and supply chain parameters in partnership with customers.

Miles Roberts, group chief executive of DS Smith, commented, ‘I am delighted with the progress we have made on our Now & 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 & 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.’