Sustainability Report 2025

At DS Smith, an International Paper Company, sustainability is integral to our circular business model. We can have the greatest positive impact by helping to create a low carbon, circular economy.

2024/25 Performance Highlights 

Circularity  

• Plastic Replacement: Over 1.7 billion pieces of plastic replaced with recyclable alternatives since 2020/21 – exceeding our target by more than 700,000. 
• Circular Design: More than 58,000 packaging design decisions influenced by our Circular Design Metrics - over 155,000 since their launch! 
• Reusable Packaging: Achieved our target of testing up to 5 reuse pilots. 
• Zero Waste to Landfill: 51% reduction in waste to landfill since 2019/20. On track to achieve zero waste to landfill by 2030. 
• Fibre Optimisation: Over 96% of in-scope packaging solutions uniquely optimised for individual customer supply chains.  

Carbon  

• Carbon Reduction: 2% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to last year and 21% compared to the base year 2019/2020. 
• Rouen Paper Mill: Transitioning our Rouen paper mill from coal to biomass boiler delivered a reduction of c. 57,000 tonnes CO₂e. 
• Strategic Suppliers with Science-Based Targets: 47% of our purchased goods and services emissions generated by strategic suppliers either with, or in the process of setting a science-based target.  

People & Communities  

• Human Rights: 100% of our in-scope sites have completed the Sedex SAQ for the second year running, strengthening our human rights due diligence. 
• Community Activities: 100% of our in-scope sites participated in community activities for the fifth year in a row. 
• Circular Economy Engagement: 96% of our people engaged in the circular economy. 
• Health and Safety: 10% reduction in total number of accidents compared to last year.
• Safety Excellence: 263 sites with zero Lost Time Accidents this year and 85 sites with zero in the last five years.  

Nature  

• Biodiversity Programmes: 100% of paper mills have biodiversity programmes in place.
• Water Management: Achieved our target of 100% of paper mills and packaging sites have water management plans.
• Water Withdrawal Reduction: 10% reduction in water withdrawal per tonne of production at mills at risk of water stress compared to 2019/20. 

Net Zero Transition Plan 

Our Net Zero Transition Plan communicates the targets, actions and resources that we are deploying to enable the transformation to ‘Net Zero’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  

Sustainability Report 2025 is our progress update on delivering against our Now & Next Sustainability Strategy, focused on the sustainability challenges we face today, as well as those that will impact future generations.

Building a stronger global company 

In January 2025, we joined the International Paper family, creating a truly global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. Together we remain committed to creating a more sustainable future. 

Looking ahead, we plan to develop a new strategy that reflects our current and future identity. This acquisition marks a new chapter for us, and we look forward to building on the progress we've made so far and continuing our sustainability journey as a combined business.