DS Smith’s innovative box design process removes over 2 million delivery journeys

Through a focus on circular design and performance, DS Smith has announced its innovative design process has removed 20,000 tonnes of raw material from the cycle, despite increasing overall production. This has effectively taken out the equivalent of 238m boxes of circulation over the past year. This saving will result in a reduction of around 32,000 tonnes of CO2e, the equivalent to removing approximately 2m journeys from the roads in cities globally at a time when air quality, carbon emissions and congestion is under the spotlight.

With the peak Christmas period for e-commerce approaching and recent research showing that 89% of adults will continue to shop online at the same level or more post lock down, there is huge benefit to DS Smith’s customers; increased adoption of this technology will support their work to reduce emissions in their supply chains.

Alex Manisty, Group Head of Strategy said: DS Smith is committed to delivering on the circular economy, using our expertise in packaging innovation to drive progress. Our ability to deliver the highest levels of performance through better design has resulted in tangible environmental impact. Whether it’s taking carbon out of supply chains or providing closed loop recycling processes, we will continue to develop circular solutions fit for the changing world in which we operate.”

The process begins with the application of DS Smith’s Circular Design Principles, developed in conjunction with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, to ensure that the product is optimised from the outset, while also increasing production and the number of value-added solutions for its customers across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials. Meanwhile, the enhanced manufacturing processes ensures the efficiency of material to create performance optimised boxes across its total packaging production of 17bn boxes.

With up to 50 touch-points in the traditional e-commerce supply chain, performance remains a critical consideration. Through DS Smith’s patented DISCS™ technology – which replicates the drops, impacts, shocks, crushes and shakes of a journey – the optimised boxes provide the same or improved levels of protection.

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