DS Smith offers Recyclability Evaluation Service (RES) for packaging businesses

Fibre-based packaging producer, DS Smith, has launched a Recyclability Evaluation Service (RES) for clients to assess the recyclability of their packaging.

The company stated that the service aims to meet the growing demand for sustainability from consumers and the changes brought by new packaging legislation.

The performance of packaging will be assessed against a variety of criteria in tests undertaken by the Fibre Development Laboratory at Kemsley Paper Mill in Sittingbourne, Kent. Businesses that opt for these assessments will receive details of their data, summaries of findings, a recyclability score, and a conclusion of the suitability of their packaging for recycling.

DS Smith is also offering consultancy services with their Design and Innovation Team regarding the recyclability of packaging. This consultation covers various metrics including recycled content and recyclability, indicative estimated CO2 emissions, levels of excess waste, and supply chain parameters.

Jonathan Edmunds, Head of Recyclability, Sustainability and Government Affairs at DS Smith Recycling, commented: “I’m thrilled to announce the rollout of RES to packaging producers of all sizes. We have ensured that 100 per cent of our own packaging is recyclable but now we are shifting our focus beyond the packaging we produce. With a constantly evolving landscape, RES allows us to examine and improve the recyclability of our customer’s fibre-based packaging, ensuring they remain one step ahead.”

The launch of the RES follows a £750,000 investment in the Fibre Development Laboratory in 2022. The investment aimed to research technologies for improving the sustainability of fibre-based packaging.

This follows the announcement of new packaging regulations by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) that aim to reduce packaging waste and environmental impact.