MAY 29, 2025

Sonoco Publishes 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, Highlighting Progress and Future Goals

As a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, Sonoco has released its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report, detailing advancements toward science-based emission reduction targets, upcoming innovations aimed at further lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and strategies for ensuring a more sustainable product portfolio by evaluating the entire lifecycle.

The annual report outlines Sonoco’s comprehensive environmental policies, which are aligned with global standards and reporting agencies to maintain full compliance with environmental laws and regulations. The company’s sustainability commitments are built on data-driven scientific criteria and include ambitious goals, with the report providing details on targets, programs, and achievements to date.

Sustainable Operations

  • Sonoco has identified physical and transitional risks related to climate change, including supply chain disruptions, material cost increases, and the potential impact of extreme weather events on production.
  • Investments continue in energy-efficient equipment, innovative processes, and increased use of renewable energy.

Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Sonoco is making steady progress toward emissions reduction targets set by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) in 2021, including:

  • Absolute target well below 2 degrees C for Scope 1, 2, and 3
  • Scope 1 and 2: Reduce absolute GHG emissions by 25% by 2030, using a 2020 base year
  • Scope 3: Reduce absolute GHG emissions by 13.5% by 2030, using a 2019 base year
  • From 2023 to 2024, Sonoco achieved a 4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions.
  • In 2024, Sonoco included Scope 3 GHG emissions in its Corporate Sustainability Report for the first time, adopting an average data-based calculation methodology that likely contributed to the reported decrease. A new baseline will be established in 2025.

Energy Usage

  • To support its SBTi-validated GHG targets, Sonoco has set a goal to reduce normalized energy consumption by 8% by 2030, with 11% of planned emissions reductions stemming from low-carbon energy sources.
  • By 2024, Sonoco had already achieved a 9.8% reduction in energy usage, surpassing its 2030 target.

Water and Effluents

  • Sonoco’s paper mills have committed to reducing global water consumption by 3% by 2030 (based on a five-year average from 2019–2023) and by 5% by 2040.

Waste Management

  • Sonoco’s processing facilities in the U.S. and Europe collected 3 million tons of material for recycling.
  • Waste sent to landfills was reduced by 20% between 2023 and 2024.

Sustainable Products

  • Sonoco continuously works to meet customer performance and safety needs while minimizing environmental impacts throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Product design evaluations include material selection, production processes, consumer use, and end-of-life considerations.

Product Lifecycle

  • Sonoco employs Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) to guide research and development, providing customers with comprehensive product carbon footprint (PCF) data and identifying opportunities to reduce emissions.

Sourcing Sustainable Materials

  • The company collaborates with suppliers to establish sustainability goals, reporting mechanisms, and innovative methods for sourcing raw materials responsibly.

Enhancing Consumer Health and Safety

  • Sonoco’s expertise in medical packaging supports compliance with stringent industry regulations and requirements. The company offers sterile and non-sterile packaging solutions, temperature-controlled shipping, and display innovations for pharmaceutical and biotech sectors.
  • Sonoco ThermoSafe’s ISC Labs® provides temperature assurance testing, qualification, and validation services to meet regulatory requirements.

Climate Transition Plan

  • The 2024/25 Climate Transition Plan serves as a dynamic framework outlining Sonoco’s commitments, achievements, and long-term vision for achieving 1.5°C science-based emissions reductions, aligned with the SBTi and ISSB guidelines.
  • The company is exploring pathways to net-zero emissions, ensuring its transition is both credible and actionable.
  • Sonoco earned a CDP score of B in 2024, recognizing its strong environmental management practices.
  • Corporate Sustainability Reports from 2022, 2023, and 2024 indicate significant progress in Sonoco’s sustainability initiatives.

For further details on Sonoco ThermoSafe’s sustainability commitments, partnerships, and thermal packaging solutions, visit ThermoSafe Sustainability.

To learn more about Sonoco’s sustainability reporting frameworks and measurement guidelines, download the 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report.