Marks & Spencer to ditch plastic baggage in favour of paper ones throughout all shops

Marks & Spencer is swapping plastic baggage for paper ones throughout all of its shops following a profitable trial.

The retailer has change into the newest chain to go for the extra environmentally pleasant baggage following Morrisons, Waitrose and Aldi, which all use paper baggage for purchasers – although some shops supply plastic baggage as an choice.

M&S, which has greater than 1,000 shops throughout the UK, started a trial of the change at 10 of its outlets in January.

The chain has labored with the University of Sheffield to develop a bag that’s made utilizing renewable power, as paper is extra energy-intensive to provide than plastic.

Paper baggage additionally weigh greater than plastic; this implies transportation requires extra power, including to their carbon footprint, in response to analysis.

Marks & Spencer company affairs director, Victoria McKenzie-Gould, revealed the transfer in a weblog publish, saying the corporate hoped it will assist to keep away from “the mountain of plastic bags” that may construct up in cabinets at house.

She mentioned: “For the overwhelming majority who already reuse their very own baggage, which stays essentially the most sustainable choice, not rather a lot will change.

“But on the odd occasion when we all need to reach for one more bag, we’re pleased to be offering a more sustainable option for customers.”

The new baggage additionally fold simply right into a backpack, are water-resistant and are anticipated to have the ability to be used greater than 100 instances, in response to the weblog publish.

When they’re worn out they may also be recycled, M&S added.

Read extra:
M&S returns to FTSE 100
Giant onion breaks world record
Chain apologises for daffodil and onion food display

Morrisons turned the primary grocery store to ditch plastic baggage in 2021.

Paper is extra extensively recyclable and decomposes far more shortly than plastic, with some provider baggage taking as much as 1,000 years to decompose.

Paper baggage are due to this fact much less prone to be a supply of litter or a danger to wildlife.