Reading company to donate $17,000 for greenspace work in the 18th Ward

Jun. 25—DS Smith, which operates a paper mill, packaging plant and recycling facility in Reading, announced Thursday it would fund one of the six of proposed greenspaces for Reading's 18th Ward and the beautification of a section of the Schuylkill River Trail.

The company, an international packaging business headquartered in London, said it secured a $17,000 biodiversity grant from its charitable foundation for the greenspace project and $1,200 for planting and maintaining evergreen trees in various public spaces that the city will be able to light up for holiday ceremonies and festivities.

The evergreen trees serve multiple purposes: to restore green areas to the city and help combat climate change, provide a habitat for various birds and animals and provide each section of the city with a sustainable evergreen tree for annual holiday decoration, the company said.

Lucine Sihlenik, council member for the area, said the project has potential to sustain itself in the community.

The project also will include the planting of wildflowers, clearing of overgrown vegetation and overall beautification of the Thun and Reading Gateway section of the Schuylkill River Trail that runs through the heart of the city.

"Sustainability and being a responsible corporate neighbor is at the heart of everything we do," said Nadine Racht, human relations manager for DS Smith in a news release. "We're committed to supporting the communities where we operate with our 'Now and Next Sustainability Strategy' and we're excited to kick off two of the 100 biodiversity projects we committed to funding worldwide here in Reading."

The company said the projects will support the 18th Wonder Improvement Association's bike and pedestrian trail, which aims to maintain and enhance a sustainable, connected and beautiful community in one of the most visited and vibrant parts of the city.

DS Smith Reading will provide the soil, trees and landscape planting for the greenspace and holiday trees. The DS Smith Reading Activities and Volunteer Committee, The DS Smith Experience, will volunteer and work with the city to facilitate the project implementation.

The proposed activities are designed to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon emissions.

That includes planting native trees to create a greater urban canopy; planting native flowers to encourage survival of honeybees and other pollinators; using stormwater as a resource while reducing earth erosion; and increasing walkways and bikeways to lessen dependency on cars.

Racht outlined the company's plans in a remote presentation Thursday to the 18th Wonder board. She estimated the work could begin as early as next month.

DS Smith's paper, packaging and recycling facilities employ 300 people at its three locations in Reading. The company has committed that by 2030, it will use packaging and recycling to replace problem plastics, reduce customer carbon and eliminate consumer packaging waste.

The paper mill at 720 Laurel St. was formerly run by United Corrstack.

It was acquired in 2017 by DS Smith along with the nearby power plant.

Last year, the company opened a new recycling plant and packaging manufacturing facility at 850 Laurel St. The plant is part of an operation that can convert old cardboard into new boxes within 14 days.

The company also operates a packaging facility at 100 Grace St.