DS Smith partners with Exeter University to develop circular e-commerce designs

22 May 2023 --- DS Smith has invited students from the University of Exeter, UK, to compete in creating design systems for a circular economy. The students must make reusable packaging solutions focusing on e-commerce and white goods secondary packaging.

DS Smith is a corporate sponsor of the University of Exeter’s MBA, Circular Economy Corporate Challenge. The students will receive mentoring from DS Smith experts to support the development of their ideas and understanding of the industry with guidance from departmental leaders. 

“People increasingly expect companies to deliver [environmentally] sustainable solutions and to create a positive impact for both people and planet, and that creates an opportunity to put new ways of thinking into action,” says Hugh McCann, senior circular growth manager at DS Smith. 

“We are exploring how we can engage with innovative reuse solutions with our customers and partners in the future and are delighted to invite Exeter’s students into the tent.”

Studying for a circular economy
The students will be allotted time slots between May 15-19 to develop their solutions. The successful submissions will be announced on May 19.

Students to work on finding circular e-commerce solutions for DS Smith. DS Smith’s mentors for the program include Wim Wouters, director of innovation; Gavin Mounce, key account innovation manager e-commerce design manager; and Robert Kiacz, Integrated Product Services design and innovation manager.

The DS Smith experts are working alongside McCann to interview and assess the MBA students’ innovations. 

DS Smith believes it has given the students ambitious tasks to support reuse and keep materials in use for as long as possible.

Focusing on recycling
DS Smith says it is a key supplier of e-commerce packaging to well-known e-commerce businesses where the packaging is typically recycled after use or reused within the home before being recycled.

“The circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste pollution, keeping products and materials in use, regenerating natural systems and offers an alternative solution to the current linear economy based on a ‘take, make, consume and dispose’ mindset,” continues McCann. 

The business also provides secondary packaging for the white goods sector, typically single-use. DS Smith states those items are returned to the company for recycling or recycled through third-party waste management partners.

“At DS Smith, the circular nature of our business is already serving as the gateway to the circular economy for customers as we support their changing needs, [environmental] sustainability goals, and the growing demand for sustainable packaging. We are thrilled to invite the circular economy designers of the future into space and see how they will address the challenges we pose to them,” McCann concludes.

Young adults driving change 
Similarly, the United Nations Environment Programme launched the next phase of its Tide Turners, the world’s largest youth-led movement against the plastic pollution crisis.

The UK announced that it would receive £1.6 million‎ (US$1.99 million) of funding over the next three years. The new and fifth phase of the Tide Turners will focus on scaling up advocacy training for young people to enhance their relationship with policymakers. 

In other youth innovation, artist and material designer Stella Lee spoke to PackagingInsights about her whimsical shoe designs. Instead of using typical leather and rubber materials, she employs leftover packaging from fashion merchandise to give the “waste” a new life. 

By Sabine Waldeck