Smurfit Kappa SSK is Birmingham’s last remaining paper mill and a long term supporter of Nechells POD.

At the heart of Nechells for over a century and a half, Smurfit Kappa SSK plays a vital role in providing local employment as well as reducing the City’s carbon footprint. Almost 40,000 tonnes of paper and cardboard (collected from the City via Birmingham City Council’s blue box scheme and Smurfit Kappa Recycling bring banks) is recycled at the paper mill every year.  It employs 110 people and produces 500-700 tonnes of packaging paper every day, which is then converted into cardboard boxes by Smurfit Kappa’s customers.

In 2012, to mark the company’s 150th anniversary, we helped to organise a series of open days.  Over 300 visitors attended and took part in a range of activities designed to raise awareness the benefits of recycling and foster a sense of pride in the local environment. This was linked to a landmark tree planting project – Growing Up in Nechells: Proud Past, Bright Future – which saw around 200 saplings given to local primary school children to plant in schools and parks around Nechells.

We are delighted to have a volunteer Board member from Smurfit Kappa and be able to work together on projects to benefit the community.