DS Smith receives chain-of-custody certification

DS Smith, a sustainable packaging company with U.S. headquarters in Atlanta, has received Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain-of-Custody certification across its U.S.-based packaging operations.

DS Smith’s FSC Chain-of-Custody certification is a public commitment to use fiber from responsibly managed forests, and it provides a link between responsibly sourced fiber and the packaging used by manufacturers, ensuring brands and consumers are confident that the products they are buying come from a responsible source. According to a news release from DS Smith, this certification is part of the company’s Now and Next sustainability initiative, which is focused on addressing sustainability challenges. The company also has Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified sourcing certification.

“Consumers appreciate being able to participate in supporting sustainability through their purchases, and FSC’s credibility is a great benefit for brands who value sustainability,” says Giancarlo Maroto, managing director of paper, forestry and recycling for DS Smith North America. “Certifications from FSC and SFI provide peace of mind to our business and our customers, knowing that we can service the increasing market demand for forest products from responsible sources and provide our customers with additional support as they make sustainable choices about the paper products they use.”

DS Smith reports that its packaging materials begin life in responsibly managed forests and can be easily recycled about seven to 10 times through conventional recycling infrastructure or biodegraded naturally without causing long-term environmental impacts. FSC works to ensure that forest managers comply with domestic laws and international agreements and consider the environmental, social and economic principles and criteria related to the forest. Depending on the needs of companies seeking certification, certifiers evaluate both forest management activities (forest certification) and tracking of forest products (chain-of-custody certification). The chain-of-custody includes the forest, pulp mill, paper mill and paper.