M&S removes over five million units of plastic from its Men's Essentials Range

Marks & Spencer has announced it has moved to paper packaging across its men’s essentials range, removing almost 5.5 million units of plastic from its Clothing & Home business over the next 12 months.

All of M&S’ men’s socks, as well as men’s woven pyjama sets, and almost 40% of men’s underwear lines are now available in FSC approved paper packaging with paper hooks, which can be easily recycled at home. With one in five men in the UK purchasing their underwear and nightwear from the retailer, M&S is focused on ensuring its packaging is easily recyclable for customers. Pending successful trials this year, the retailer plans to roll the recyclable paper packaging out more widely to additional products in the men’s essentials range, removing a further 3.5 million units of plastic from the Clothing & Home supply chain.

With 20 million pairs of men’s socks sold by the retailer each year, this initiative marks the latest step in the company’s ongoing drive to reduce plastic packaging at scale. Reducing plastic packaging is a top priority for M&S and its customers, and the retailer has a leading track record of taking action. In 2023, the retailer successfully trialled paper packaging with paper hooks for men’s and women’s accessories – including hats, gloves and scarves – removing over four million units of plastic.

Katharine Beacham, head of sustainability in Clothing & Home, said: ‘We know we have a responsibility to do the right thing when it comes to our packaging by reducing unnecessary plastic. This one small change to our men’s essentials range will make a huge difference by removing over five million units of plastic from our supply chain. It also gives our customers the confidence to make more sustainable choices more easily when they shop with us, and trust that the M&S quality products they love are made, sourced and packaged with care.’

The brand is committed to reducing plastic packaging as a key part of its Plan A roadmap to net zero by 2040.

Picture courtesy: Marks & Spencer.