Celebrating Earth Month at Sheard Packaging: A Commitment to Sustainability, People, and Community

Our B Corp Journey: Business as a Force for Good

Becoming a certified B Corp was a monumental step for us. This certification affirms that we meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. As part of a global movement of businesses committed to making a positive impact, we view this as more than a badge—it’s a call to action.

Through our triple-bottom-line approach, we prioritise people and the planet alongside profit. This framework ensures that every decision we make aligns with our values of creating sustainable solutions, supporting our community, and fostering a workplace where our employees can thrive.

Value Optimisation: Reducing Waste, Maximising Impact

At Sheard Packaging, we believe that waste isn’t just bad for business—it’s bad for the planet. That’s why our Value Optimisation programme is at the heart of our sustainability strategy. This initiative is designed to reduce costs and inefficiencies across the supply chain while also minimising environmental impact. Some of our key strategies include:

• Optimising Logistics: By maximising load fills and streamlining delivery processes, we reduce carbon emissions and energy use.
• Performance Packaging: Our laboratory and testing facilities ensure that every product is fit-for-purpose, avoiding over-engineering and unnecessary waste.
• Sustainable Design: From reducing packaging grammages to minimising blank sizes, we’re committed to creating innovative, eco-friendly packaging solutions.

Through Value Optimisation, we’re able to balance commercial benefits with carbon reduction, proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.

Our Materials: Responsible from Start to Finish

Sustainability starts at the source, and at Sheard Packaging, we’ve been using FSC®-certified materials in all our products since 2016. This certification promotes responsible forestry practices that protect biodiversity, prevent deforestation, and support community rights—including those of Indigenous Peoples.

Corrugated packaging, which makes up a significant part of our product range, is a prime example of circular economy principles in action. Made from 82% recycled fibre, it’s 100% recyclable and can be repurposed up to 25 times. By sourcing responsibly and reducing waste, we’re contributing to a future where packaging is both innovative and sustainable.

Our Factory & Our People: Sustainability Inside and Out

Our employees are at the heart of everything we do, and their well-being is a top priority. At Sheard Packaging, every team member earns at least the Real Living Wage, ensuring fair compensation that meets the actual cost of living. We’ve also implemented a range of benefits to promote a healthy and happy workforce, including:

• Free gym memberships
• Monthly hot food events
• Life insurance
• 24/7 access to fresh fruit
• An Employee Assistance Programme for mental health support

Beyond supporting our employees, we’re committed to improving the efficiency and eco-friendliness of our factory processes. From solar panels to recycling initiatives, we’re constantly finding ways to reduce our carbon footprint while maintaining the highest standards of production.

Giving Back: Supporting Our Community

As a family-owned business, giving back to the community is deeply ingrained in our values. Through our employer-supported volunteering scheme, employees are given two days of paid leave annually to support causes they care about. We also actively collaborate with local schools and charities, fostering meaningful connections that create a positive ripple effect.

Driving Accountability: Impact Governance and Transparency

Accountability is key to driving progress, which is why we’ve developed a robust impact governance structure. This framework tracks our progress across key areas, including materials, factory efficiency, and community engagement. Our annual impact report reflects not only our achievements but also areas where we can improve, ensuring that transparency remains at the forefront of our journey.

As part of our commitment to combating climate change, we’ve also joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning our emissions reduction targets with climate science. By making deep, company-wide cuts to our carbon footprint, we’re playing our part in the global fight against climate change.

Looking Ahead: Our Vision for the Future

Earth Month is a time to celebrate progress, but it’s also a time to recognise the work that still lies ahead. At Sheard Packaging, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the packaging industry. By focusing on sustainability, innovation, and people, we’re not just creating packaging—we’re creating a future that works for everyone.

As we continue our journey, we invite you to join us in driving positive change. Together, we can make a lasting impact on our planet and our communities. Let’s build a better tomorrow, one sustainable step at a time.