Marks & Spencer, one of the largest high-street retailers, is making a big move towards sustainability. They have decided that it’s time to roll out paper carrier bags across their stores.

Why The Switch?

Marks & Spencer, a beloved British high-street brand, has always been committed to sustainability. They’ve been on a mission to reduce their carbon footprint and make environmentally friendly choices for some time now. One of their most recent initiatives involves saying goodbye to single-use plastic bags in favour of paper alternatives.

Paper vs. Plastic: The Environmental Impact

We all know that single-use plastics can have a lasting impression on the planet. From polluting our oceans to harming wildlife, plastic bags have been a major contributor to environmental problems. In contrast, paper bags are a more sustainable option.

1. Renewable Resource: Paper is made from wood pulp, a renewable resource. Trees can be replanted, ensuring a sustainable supply of raw materials.
2. Biodegradable: Unlike plastic, paper bags are biodegradable and decompose naturally over time, reducing the burden on landfills.
3. Recycling Friendly: Paper bags are easily recyclable, and the recycling process consumes less energy compared to recycling plastic.
4. Minimal Pollution: Producing paper bags typically results in lower carbon emissions and pollution compared to plastic bag production.
5. Supporting Forests: Sustainable forestry practices ensure that the trees used for paper are replaced, maintaining healthy forests.

Marks And Spencer’s Commitment

Marks & Spencer’s decision to introduce paper carrier bags across their stores is a clear reflection of their dedication to sustainability. By making this switch, they’re reducing their plastic usage, minimizing their carbon footprint, and taking a significant step toward protecting our environment.

As well as introducing their paper bags into all shops across the country, they have also brought in a ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ initiative to their Click and Collect orders in Clothing and Home which will remove over 10 million units of plastic annually. Additionally, in their Food Hall, where most of their plastic packaging is used, they hit their target of removing 75 million pieces this year.

M&S have also moved their popular rice and grains packaging into paper bags and boxes, removing 5.5 million units of plastic from circulation. From the 18^th of September, every store across the UK will offer Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper bags at checkouts. They are also introducing a strong, robust bag in M&S Food and a simpler one in M&S Clothing & Home to reflect their different shopping missions.

Key Features Of The New Paper Bags:

1. They are much stronger and can carry up to 15kg – the equivalent of more than six four-pint bottles of 100% RSPCA Assured milk.
2. Both new bags are water resistant, thanks to a natural resin applied to the bags in the manufacturing process.
3. They have been individually tested to withstand over 100 uses and are easily foldable so can be placed into handbags and backpacks.
4. They are more convenient for customers to pop straight into their home recycling bins when worn out.
5. They are produced using renewable energy in a single hydro-powered paper mill in Scandinavia.

Marks & Spencer’s decision to introduce paper carrier bags is a positive step toward a more sustainable future in print, paper, and paper packaging. By making the switch from plastic to paper, they’re reducing their environmental impact and setting an example for other retailers to follow.

You can read more about M&S and their sustainability goals and initiative here: https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/sustainability

https://corporate.marksandspencer.com/sites/marksandspencer/files/marks-spencer/investor/Annual%20Report%202023/M%26S%20Sustainability%20Report%202023.pdf

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