CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY COMMITMENTS
At Sonoco, we’re manufacturing to ensure a sustainable future, by continuously challenging ourselves to create a better world and brighter tomorrow. Take a look at our 5 key 2025 Corporate Sustainability Commitments and our 3 key 2030 Corporate sustainability commitments below.
2025 Goal 1
We will increase the equivalent, by weight, the amount we recycle or cause to be recycled from 65% to 85% relative to the volume or product we put into the marketplace by 2025.
2025 Goal 2
We will ensure approximately 75% of our global rigid plastic packaging is capable of making the relevant on-package recyclable claim by 2025.
2025 Goal 3
We will ensure all our production facilities utilizing plastic pellets have systems to prevent environmental discharges. In addition, we will not utilize resin additives that result in microplastics.
2025 Goal 4
We are committed to work closely with our customers to help them achieve their post-consumer recycled content commitments.
2025 Goal 5
Sonoco will conduct water risk studies at our manufacturing facilities, which account for at least 90% of our water usage, by 2024.
2030 Scope 1 & Scope 2 Emission Reduction
Sonoco will reduce its absolute Scope 1 and 2 emissions at least 25% by 2030 (2020 baseline).
2030 Scope 2 & Scope 3 Emission Reduction
Sonoco, in cooperation with its suppliers and customers, will reduce its Scope 3 emissions in line with the 2°C Absolute Contraction Approach resulting in 13.5% absolute Scope 3 emissions reduction by 2030 (2019 baseline).
2030 Energy Efficiency Improved by 8%
Sonoco will continue energy efficiency improvement in its manufacturing plants and reduce normalized energy usage by at least 8% by 2030 (2020 baseline).
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION
At Sonoco, sustainability starts at product conception and is woven into our design process.
Rigid Paper Containers
Our Rigid Paper Containers tell a story of endless sustainable integration, with a seamless customer collaboration for the perfect final product. The design of Sonoco Paper Cans allows it to meet a brand’s ongoing challenge of balancing responsible material sourcing with product and food safety.
Industrial Packaging
Sustainability has been in the fabric of our Industrial Packaging innovations, for more than 100 years. With Industrial Packaging produced from recycled coreboard for a variety of sectors, we have been sustainable from the beginning of our journey.
PARTNERSHIPS & ASSOCIATIONS
We actively work with the leading sustainability partners and associations to ensure we are leading conversations in the packaging sector, while also ensuring compliance with local government’s regulation and policy.
Learn more on how we work with leading packaging expert associations globally.
CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY ACTIVITIES
We completed our first Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) aligned double materiality assessment (DMA) with the assistance of an independent consulting firm. Ultimately, the 11 ESG topics below were deemed material to our company.
Sonoco is focused on working towards achieving our sustainability goals in all our primary focus areas including ensuring worker safety, enhancing career development, building a healthy working environment, supporting our communities and promoting a circular economy and environmental stewardship. We remain dedicated to our purpose of Better Packaging. Better Life.®
