Smurfit Kappa has published its latest Sustainable Development Report (SDR), with the contents suggesting the company is moving toward becoming a fully sustainable and circular business.
The corrugated packaging firm reached a number of key milestones throughout 2018, including the launch of its Better Planet Packaging initiative which seeks to reduce packaging waste by creating more sustainable packaging solutions through design, innovation and recycling capabilities.
It also reported that its paper-based packaging is renewable and recyclable, though its paper production process itself is energy intensive. Other highlights in the report include CO2 emissions falling by 29% compared to 2005 and Smurfit Kappa’s continued listing on the FTSE4Good, Euronext Vigeo Europe 120, STOXX Global ESG Leaders and Ethibel’s sustainable investment register.
‘The report outlines the progress that Smurfit Kappa continues to make in sustainability,’ commented group CEO Tony Smurfit. ‘As leaders in sustainable packaging, we have a responsibility to address the challenges that face the environment and society today.‘
Steven Stoffer, group vice president added, ‘For us sustainability is not only about mitigating climate change and reducing inefficiency. For packaging to be truly sustainable, it must be produced and designed in a sustainable fashion and be biodegradable within a relatively short time after multiple uses. Paper-based packaging is uniquely positioned to do this.’
