The Verdigris blog by Laurel Brunner
There’s not a subject you can think of that doesn’t have its own magazine or newsletter and set of awards. In the case of sustainability, the printing and publishing industries have plenty to choose from, but probably the most prestigious is the Reuters Global Sustainability Awards. These have been around for quite a few years and recognise efforts to achieve net-zero. They’re unlikely to appeal to most business in our sector, but they do appeal to global corporates. Such companies have the resources to invest in long term climate mitigation strategies and they also appreciate the shareholder appeal.
If you do want to take a crack at these awards you have to be able to show that you’ve made inspiring decisions to reach net-zero. You must also have the data and the metrics to show that your business is on track to achieve its net zero target and prevent global warming going above 1.5ºC, and demonstrate how your leadership has made a positive difference to the business and its communities of operation. So no pressure. But realistically there are probably only a few hundred business in the world well-placed enough and with the motivation and money to be candidates for the various categories of prizes. They’re worth watching nonetheless.
The Sustainability Awards sponsored by Packaging Europe Magazine are another prestigious set of prizes. They focus on research and development, so they appeal to all manner of organisations from start-ups through to global brands. There is even a category for packaging innovations. The category concerns improving resource usage and process efficiencies to reduce the carbon footprints of materials. This might might seem less lofty than the Reuters’ awards but what The Sustainability Awards lack in enormity they more than make up for in aspiration. And arguable it’s aspiration that drives tangible change.
Being shortlisted for a plastic replacement in the packaging business is thus more than meaningful. Packaging printer DS Smith and Krones, a maker of packaging and bottling machinery have together been shortlisted in the climate category of The Sustainability Awards 2025. Their invention, called Lift Up, is a recyclable corrugated cardboard package that can replace plastic shrink wrap for PET bottle multi-packs. It means no single use plastic and the fibre based material can be printed and recycled. There is even an integrated carrier handle. The materials are efficient to make and can be applied in Krones’ highspeed packaging lines, where DS Smith claims they can reduce overall energy consumption on the line by 58%.
DS Smith has had a Life Cycle Assessment done on Lift Up. Det Norske Veritas estimate that the fibre based packaging cuts CO2 emissions by 42% compared to the footprint of a standard shrink film pack. If a brand delivers 23 million bottles per year, in sixpacks of 5 litre bottles, Lift Up can help them remove 582 tonnes of plastic and 11260 tonnes of CO2.
DS Smith and Krones will find out if they have won at the Sustainable Packaging Summit in Utrecht in November 2025. Good luck to all concerned!
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This article was produced by the Verdigris Project, an industry initiative intended to raise awareness of print’s positive environmental impact. This weekly commentary helps printing companies keep up to date with environmental standards, and how environmentally friendly business management can help improve their bottom lines. Verdigris is supported by the following companies: Agfa Graphics, EFI, Fespa, Fujifilm, HP, Kodak, Miraclon, RicohSplash PR, Unity Publishing and Xeikon.
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