Elizabeth Rhue

Why Sustainability is Good for Business

Elizabeth Rhue, Vice President Global Environmental, Sustainability, and Technical Services is responsible for leading Sonoco’s global sustainability programs and environmental services for the Company’s Consumer- and Industrial-related packaging businesses, including working directly with Sonoco’s key customers and business leaders to achieve improved product sustainability and environmental footprint for Sonoco’s operations. In addition, Elizabeth’s team is responsible for environmental compliance, product safety and Sonoco’s consumer packaging pilot facilities, testing labs, and design engineering services. Elizabeth started her nearly19-year career at Sonoco as a Research and Development Engineer with Sonoco's Rigid Paper Container business and has held several technical and commercial roles, including Sustainability and National Accounts Manager for Sonoco Recycling, focused on delivering landfill diversion solutions for major consumer product goods accounts, and Director of Marketing for Sonoco’s Flexible Packaging division, working directly with large consumer product goods customers. Elizabeth holds a B.S. in Packaging Science from Clemson University.  

Outside of Sonoco, Elizabeth is the former chair of the board of directors for Keep the Midlands Beautiful, a trustee for The Nature Conservancy of SC, and also serves as chair of the Clemson University SonocoFRESH Industry Advisory Board. In 2023, Elizabeth was named to the Waste 360’s 40 under 40 list related to her sustainability efforts in the waste and recycling industry.