After meeting its previous aims three years ahead of its 2020 deadline, Smurfit Kappa has taken the next step forward in its sustainability journey by rolling out an ambitious new set of goals.
While Smurfit Kappa’s paper-based packaging is renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, the paper production process itself is resource-intensive so a new set of goals has been outlined to build on the progress already made. These are:
• Maintaining >90% chain of custody certification of annual customer deliveries
• Maintaining 100% chain of custody operating system certification
• Assessing energy usage reduction opportunities in converting operations by 2020
• Performing water risk assessments for paper mills not yet assessed by 2020
• Decreasing water discharge intensity by 60% by 2025 compared to 2005
• Decreasing paper mill fossil intensity by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005
• Reducing the amount of waste sent to landfill by 30% by 2025
Speaking about the new goals, Steven Stoffer, vice president of Development, said, ‘This new set of goals has been drawn up to make sure we retain our leadership in the field of sustainability by reflecting the ambitious EU sustainability agenda into the targets for our global operating network and thereby continuing to push for sustainable innovation.
‘Over the past few years we have made solid progress in our efforts to contribute to a more sustainable society and we are keen to continue on this journey collaborating with our various groups of stakeholders.’
