M&S is ditching its plastic carrier bags for paper versions across all of its shops, under a trial extension which started in 10 stores this January.
The Forest Stewardship Council-certified bags, which are now available from all of the retailer’s UK shops, are water resistant due to a natural resin applied to them during the manufacturing process.
According to M&S, once worn out, the paper bags can be placed into household recycling bins.
The business’s corporate affairs director Victoria McKenzie-Gould explained a team from the University of Sheffield had been tasked with carrying out a “cradle to grave assessment” to decide if the bags were more sustainable than plastic.
Subscribe to Retail Gazette for free
Sign up here to get the latest news straight into your inbox each morning
The university team told M&S the new bags needed to be responsibly sourced (FSC-certified®) and produced with renewable energy.
The retailer claims the paper bag can be reused 100 times.
McKenzie-Gould said: “For the vast majority who already reuse their own bags, which remains the most sustainable option, not 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.”
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
1 Comment. Leave new
cos we’ve never used a paper bag before. why can’t you just take your own. are we all that lazy. we need to rethink our shopping model. and stop buying fast fashion from greedy uncaring companies. M&S need to go back 15 years to when their clothes lasted.