“ We haven’ t started this because of regulations or trends – we have been doing it for over 100 years.”
This long-standing model reflects the industry’ s economic logic. Recovered paper and cardboard are not waste products but valuable inputs.
“ Our industry has a real operational need to get the old boxes back, as they have economic value,” Garrett continues.“ The need for circularity is clear and long established.”
In 2025, Smurfit Westrock produced more than 204 billion square feet of corrugated packaging.“ Our products are made from natural, widely recycled materials,” he says.“ I don’ t see scale as diluting circularity – I see demand for circular products creating greater scale and growth.”
From ambition to data-driven accountability One of the most significant recent developments in the company’ s strategy is the introduction of quantified Better Planet targets for 2030. These targets move sustainability commitments from broad ambition to measurable performance. The shift required extensive internal alignment following the merger that formed Smurfit Westrock in 2024.
“ Time and data consolidation were the main contributing factors,” Garrett explains.“ We needed comparable data to develop meaningful targets.”
The process took more than a year, reflecting the complexity of integrating global operations.“ Since we completed the combination in July 2024, it took us until our 2025 report to finalise,” he says.
22 July 2026