DS Smith & Zalando Pioneer Sustainable E-commerce Packaging

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DS Smith & Zalando pioneer sustainable e-commerce packaging
DS Smith & Zalando team up to cut Scope 3 emissions in packaging by optimising materials, reducing waste and enhancing recyclability

In a pioneering effort to tackle Scope 3 emissions in the e-commerce supply chain, DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has partnered with Zalando, one of Europe’s foremost fashion and lifestyle retailers.

By integrating circular design principles and sustainable practices, the collaboration targets critical areas of indirect emissions throughout Zalando’s packaging and delivery processes.

The partnership highlights how e-commerce leaders can reduce carbon footprint by adopting more sustainable, innovative packaging practices.

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Scope 3 Category 1 | Targeting emissions from purchased goods and services

Scope 3 emissions, which include the carbon impact of materials and services purchased by a company, are often among the most challenging to address.

Through their partnership, DS Smith and Zalando focus on reducing these emissions by designing sustainable packaging.

By substituting traditional materials with recycled and recyclable alternatives, DS Smith provides Zalando with packaging solutions that reduce the emissions associated with raw material production.

Marc Chiron, Sales, Marketing, and Innovation Director for DS Smith’s Packaging Division, highlights this mission: “We’re committed to ensuring our packaging offering is best-in-class and, as a company, we are pioneering our outlook and shared vision of redefining packaging for a changing world.”

Marc Chiron, Sales, Marketing, and Innovation Director for DS Smith’s Packaging Division

Through these changes, DS Smith and Zalando are not only reducing emissions but enhancing sustainability within their supply chains.

Scope 3 Category 4 | Optimising upstream transportation and distribution 

Transportation and logistics contribute significantly to Scope 3 emissions, mainly when packaging is bulky or inefficiently designed.

DS Smith has optimised its packaging solutions to use less space, which can result in more efficient shipping and, consequently, lower transportation emissions.

With Zalando shipping products across Europe, these improvements can substantially reduce fuel use and associated emissions.

Scope 3 Category 5 | Reducing waste with circular design

In the e-commerce industry, packaging waste is a major contributor to indirect emissions. By integrating circular design principles into its packaging solutions, DS Smith is helping Zalando minimise waste and lower emissions tied to waste management and disposal.

Circular design focuses on extending the life cycle of materials, reducing reliance on single-use packaging and promoting recyclability.

The packaging DS Smith provides Zalando is optimised for recyclability. This encourages consumers to recycle rather than discard packaging, further reducing emissions associated with waste.

On its partnership with DS Smith, the company’s Director of Logistics Sustainability and Packaging, David Fischer, adds: “DS Smith has proven to be a highly-valued, inspiring and dependable partner for Zalando and we’ve worked incredibly well together in recent years.

David Fischer, Director of Logistics Sustainability and Packaging, DS Smith

“Our focus is on innovation and leading the way with customer-centric, more sustainable solutions.

"We have a strong interest in developing high-quality packaging solutions for e-commerce and, as a leading player, our customers expect us to lead the way into a more sustainable future. We are very keen to set new standards for e-commerce and for Zalando in general.”

Scope 3 Category 12| Addressing the end-of-life treatment of packaging

Another major contributor to Scope 3 emissions is the disposal of used packaging.

DS Smith’s sustainable packaging is designed for easy recycling, encouraging a closed-loop system where materials are reused rather than discarded. This helps Zalando reduce emissions tied to the end-of-life treatment of packaging materials and supports its goal of being a leader in sustainable e-commerce.

Zalando works closely with DS Smith on its packaging. Picture: DS Smith

Leading by example in the e-commerce sector

The collaboration between DS Smith and Zalando illustrates how large-scale e-commerce players can make impactful changes to reduce Scope 3 emissions across their operations.

By focusing on circular economy principles, increasing recycled content, and enhancing packaging efficiency, the partnership provides a model for reducing indirect emissions within the e-commerce industry.

As other companies adopt similar approaches, the potential for cumulative emissions reductions across the sector becomes significant, ultimately helping the industry move toward a more sustainable future.

Through their shared commitment to innovation and sustainability, DS Smith and Zalando demonstrate the powerful impact that environmentally conscious partnerships can have on the broader supply chain, setting new standards for the e-commerce industry.


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