Nike aspired to reduce the carbon footprint associated with its cardboard packaging suppliers, aiming to cut emissions significantly over the next five years while maintaining the brand’s established packaging aesthetics. The project started with a thorough analysis of the environmental impact of paper and cartons, examining the entire lifecycle from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. Simultaneously, the team interviewed industry experts and corrugated suppliers for insights on best practices and innovative solutions.
Adopting a highly quantitative approach, the project team created an advanced evaluation tool. This tool used predefined criteria to assess and benchmark the sustainability performance of packaging suppliers comprehensively. The result was a robust framework that enabled Nike to evaluate and select suppliers based on their environmental responsibility, ensuring consistent and effective reduction of carbon emissions throughout the supply chain.