CREDIT: SMURFIT WESTROCK
THE SUSTAINABILITY INTERVIEW
“ Our Better Planet Packaging initiative is key to helping customers deliver on their sustainability goals,” Garrett says.
This customer-centric approach reinforces the commercial value of sustainability. It also highlights the interconnected nature of the value chain.
From raw material sourcing to end-of-life recycling, each stage influences overall impact. Improving recycling quality is a growing priority. Contamination and inconsistent collection systems can reduce the effectiveness of recycling processes. Smurfit Westrock addresses this through its recovered fibre teams.
“ We manage varying sources of fibre and support the call for greater segregation at source,” Garrett explains.
This focus on quality ensures that recycled materials remain viable inputs for new packaging while supporting the broader circular economy.
Managing water, biodiversity and climate risk Beyond circularity, Smurfit Westrock is expanding its focus on natural resource management. Water is essential for paper production, making its sustainable management both an environmental and operational priority.“ We carry out water risk assessments for all our mills,” Garrett says.
The company is also a signatory to the CEO Water Mandate, a United Nations Global Compact initiative. This commitment reflects a shift in how water is viewed – away from efficiency towards resilience.
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