DS Smith has marked its Strategic Partnership with circular economy not-for-profit, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation following a successful first year of collaboration.
In its second year of partnership, DS Smith will be working with the Foundation on a series of activities to further its ambitious circular economy agenda including innovation and circular design projects, training and development of its teams and engagement in its communities.
Dame Ellen MacArthur discusses the Circular Economy at a DS Smith event in London. Photo credit should John Nguyen/PA Wire
Wouter van Tol, DS Smith’s Head of Sustainability commented, “It has been a pleasure to work with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation over the past year – developing our Circular Design Principles, helping with the design of Circulytics and embedding circularity training across the business have all been crucial projects that are a testament to our commitment to circularity. I look forward to seeing the partnership continue to flourish over the coming years, as we work together to ensure DS Smith continues to Redefine Packaging for a Changing World.”
Hugh McCann, Strategic Partners Lead – Europe at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation commented, “We welcome the steps DS Smith has taken to embed circularity in packaging design and manufacturing, as showcased by its leadership on circular design and recycling. We are excited about the potential impact DS Smith can have on the circular economy, the wider supply chain and product development as it reinforces its partnership with the Foundation.”
In the past year, DS Smith has worked closely with the Foundation as a pilot partner of its circular economy tool, Circulytics. The tool works to measure circularity in a simple and effective way, allowing for companies to hold a mirror up to their business practices and better their internal processes. The partners have also worked to jointly developed a new set of Circular Design Principles focused on designing packaging in a circular and sustainable way. These have now been implemented across DS Smith’s 700-person design team globally, to ensure its solutions are circular in both theory and practice.
