Over 313 million pieces of problem plastics removed in two years

In leading the plastic replacement fight, we've designed out over 313 million pieces of problem plastics in the last two years alone* as part of our ambitious plastic replacement program.

This significant figure equates to more than three million units per week, as customers and consumers demonstrate demand for fiber-based packaging as an alternative to hard-to-recycle and single-use plastics.

To meet this demand, our designers have worked with customers to create 1,000s of new innovations to remove everyday plastic items, including fast-food trays, plastic fruit and vegetable containers, and plastic six pack rings.

“Our 700 designers have been trained in our Circular Design Principles, which means we can design out problem plastics at the inception stage and find alternative fiber-based solutions that deliver sustainable, recyclable packaging.”

Allison Berg
Sustainability Manager, DS Smith North America

Over the next year, we will continue to drive adoption of fiber-based alternatives with our customers in response to soaring consumer demand for single-use plastic alternatives.

41%

of consumers wanted packaging made from alternative renewable sources

52%

of surveyed would purchase products with less plastic to help improve recycling rates

In a recent survey commissioned by DS Smith, 4 in 10 consumers (41 per cent)** wanted packaging made from alternative renewable sources, and in a separate survey, 52% of respondents said they would purchase products that contain less plastic to help improve recycling rates.***

As part of our Now & Next sustainability targets, our goal is to take one billion pieces of problem plastics off supermarket shelves and replace them with corrugated alternatives.

^{*Over a 2-year period from May 2020 to April 2022}

^{**Market research conducted by OnePoll: Consumer research: 2,000 UK adults who have shopped online in the past six months. Conducted between 17th June and 23rd June 2022}

^{***Research conducted by YouGov: 2,081 UK adults (figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults). Conducted between 18th February and 20th February 2022}