Richa Desai Rejoins Food Packaging Company Sabert; Named Chief Sustainability and Strategy Officer: 4 Things to Know

Sabert, a manufacturer of food packaging solutions, has hired Richa Desai as chief sustainability and strategy officer. Here are four things to know about Desai's experience and role, Sabert's business, and the company's sustainability strategy.

1. Business Scope and Scale: Sabert, founded in 1983, is based in Sayreville, New Jersey. The company -- backed by roughly 2,000 employees -- also has U.S. operations in California and Kentucky, as well as manufacturing facilities in Nivelles, Belgium and Zhongshan, China. Sabert's packaging focus involves five areas of expertise: Performance, Presentation, Safety, Sustainability and Economics.

2. Sustainability Goals: Sabert's sustainability strategy -- known as Earthtelligent -- "drives improved environmental outcomes through innovative business thinking," the company asserts. Key metrics from Sabert's 2023 Sustainability Report include:

• 72% of unit sales came from sustainable products, defined as products that meet the high standard of containing at least 25% bio- or recycled content and being 100% recyclable or compostable.
• Over 90% of Sabert’s new products were recyclable, compostable or crafted with recycled or bio-based content.
• Global manufacturing facilities continued to build on programs to conserve energy, water, and other natural resources, resulting in an 8% reduction in energy intensity and a 10% reduction in water intensity compared to 2022.
• In 2023, 90% of the waste generated at Sabert’s manufacturing facilities was recycled and diverted from landfills. Expanding pulp manufacturing at Sabert’s facility in Greenville, TX enables US manufacturing of new, sustainable food packaging options

3. Richa Desai's Role and Experience: Desai reports directly to Sabert CEO Paul McCann, and will serve as an active member of the company’s global and North American leadership teams.

This is Desai's second tour of duty at Sabert. From 2019 to 2021, she was "instrumental in establishing and building Earthtelligent, the company's initial sustainability framework," Sabert said. During her tenure, she "spearheaded key initiatives, including the production of Sabert's first annual Sustainability Report and the launch of the Zero Waste to Landfill program," the company added.

More recently, Desai was VP of sustainability at Graham Packaging.

4. Executive Perspectives: In a prepared statement, Sabert CEO Paul McCann said: "We are thrilled to welcome Richa back to the Sabert family. Her vast experience, passion for sustainability, and forward-thinking approach perfectly complement our commitment to being our customers' trusted sustainable food packaging solutions provider. Richa's leadership will be crucial to driving innovation that aligns with the company's purpose of reinventing food packaging to nourish and protect our world.”

Added Desai: "I am excited to rejoin Sabert and lead its sustainability and strategy efforts. Sabert has always been at the forefront of innovation in sustainable food packaging. I am eager to push our efforts further to not only benefit our customers and employees but also set new industry standards for environmental stewardship.”

Chief Sustainability Officers: Why Technology Partners Should Care

By 2027, 25% of Global 2000 companies will have assigned a chief sustainability officer (CSO) responsible for meeting their organization’s ESG goals and making ESG-related IT purchasing decisions, according to IDC.

The bottom line: Technology partners need to extend their sales, marketing, engagement and support strategies to successfully fulfill those CSO customer needs, Sustainable Tech Partner believes.