DS Smith explains sustainability to the little ones: 150 children, participants in the company’s latest educational project

The students from Brașov County recently went through an interactive ecological education program run by DS Smith, a leader in the production of sustainable packaging. For the third year in a row, the company aims to familiarize children with topics such as the circular economy, environmental protection, and recycling, so that nature and communities can benefit in the long run.

Thus, within the Gymnasium School Nr. 1 Poiana Mărului, representatives from the DS Smith Zărnești paper mill held workshops on ecological education in primary school. They were attended by over 150 children, of which about 110 participated in a creative competition with prizes for making objects from recyclable materials. The initiative is in its third year, bringing the total number of students who are now more responsible and knowledgeable about recycling and environmental protection to 720.

Involving children in age-appropriate activities designed to embrace environmentally friendly behavior is a tradition for DS Smith Zărnești. On June 6, 25 employees of the company, together with 75 children from the Gymnasium School Nr. 1 “Gheorghe Crăciun”, organized a cleaning action in the Piatra Craiului National Park. It was organized on the occasion of the United Nations – backed World Environment Day, celebrated on June 5.

Diana Ciuraru, Director of Human Resources at DS Smith Zărnești, said: “We wanted to celebrate World Environment Day in an active way, with concrete benefits for the environment. We enjoyed the recognized beauty of the Piatra Craiului National Park area, to which we set out to offer the necessary care to offer us with all generosity all the advantages we enjoy when we want to spend time in nature. The energy of the children charges us every time and we are impressed by the enthusiasm they dedicate to the ecological actions in which we involve them. ”

As part of its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith has committed to engage 5 million people in the circular economy and circular lifestyles by 2030.

DS Smith Zărnești is the largest paper manufacturer in Romania, covering almost half of domestic demand.

DS Smith’s operations in Romania include a recycling center in Bucharest, two recycling depots in Otopeni and Cluj Napoca, a paper mill in Zărnești, two packaging production units in Ghimbav and Timișoara, and three service centers in Pitești, Timișoara and Otopeni, employing more than 650 people in total.

About DS Smith:

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. It plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials. Through its purpose of ‘Redefining Packaging for a Changing World’ and its Now and Next sustainability strategy, DS Smith is committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for its customers and wider society – replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Its bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sit at the heart of this response. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and is a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Its history can be traced back to the box-making businesses started in the 1940s by the Smith family.