Steven Stoffer, group vice president Development of Smurfit Kappa
Two Sides, a global organisation that promotes the attractiveness and sustainability of paper, has added Smurfit Kappa as a new member.
With increasing consumer concern and media scrutiny on packaging and, in particular, single-use plastics, the world is looking for more sustainable solutions. A recent nationally-representative survey of UK adults, conducted by Two Sides and international research agency Toluna, found paper and cardboard to be the most preferred packaging material for environmental-friendliness, recyclability and practicality. However, this research also shows that consumers perceive paper and cardboard to cause forest loss and do not understand the industry’s high recycling rates.
‘There is increasing pressure on companies to be more sustainable and this is having a transformative effect on the packaging industry,’ said Steven Stoffer, group vice president Development of Smurfit Kappa. ‘Paper-based packaging provides many benefits from protecting the products and preventing waste, to optimising logistics in the supply chain. Most importantly, it’s 100% recyclable and has the least impact on the environment.’
The company reports that with a recycling rate of 83%, paper and cardboard are amongst the most recycled materials in the world – the highest of any packaging material.
Jonathan Tame, managing director of Two Sides, said, ‘We are delighted Smurfit Kappa recognises and values the information Two Sides has created. Together, we can inform consumers and businesses of the great sustainable attributes of paper and cardboard, the natural and renewable choice.’
