Collaboration between DS Smith and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will also strengthen the company’s Sustainability strategy. This programme is underpinned by nine long-term sustainability targets, which include manufacturing 100 per cent reusable or recyclable packaging by 2025.
The partnership will support innovation in DS Smith’s business model, to include projects on packaging design for a circular economy; and improving collection systems in urban areas. These pilots will build on the company’s recent efforts on recycling throw-away consumable items such as coffee cups and radically reducing the amount of fibre in its cardboard packaging.
Separately, DS Smith is making available over £1 million from its Charitable Foundation to invest in sustainability or education initiatives. This programme will kickstart local projects across DS Smith’s global footprint and support innovative new programmes that will make a real difference to the communities in which it operates.
Miles Roberts, CEO of DS Smith commented: “Our business model is centred on the circular economy and so this partnership will be extremely important in developing our products and services further. Our employees are proud of the efforts we make in their communities and our strong focus on sustainability. However, I believe we can go further and the insights and partnership that the Ellen MacArthur Foundation can provide will be invaluable. In return, our innovation can support the Foundation’s drive to grow more business engagement in the circular economy.
"I am also pleased that through the DS Smith Charitable Foundation we will now proactively back meaningful projects in local communities that have both education and sustainability at their heart."
