15 January 2007 – Marks & Spencer, the UK retailer, announced today a £200m ‘eco plan’ that will enable it to become carbon neutral within five years.
By 2012, M&S says the raft of measures introduced in its ‘Plan A’ will enable it to reduce its overall carbon dioxide emissions to zero.
It also plans to stop land-filling waste, extend sustainable resourcing, set new standards in ethical clothing and help customers and staff live healthier lifestyles.
M&S chief executive, Stuart Rose, said: “We believe a responsible business can be a profitable business. We are calling this ‘Plan A’ because there is no ‘plan B’.”
He added: “We don’t have all the answers but we are determined to work with our suppliers, partners and Government to make this happen.”
As part of Plan A, M&S aims to use mostly polyester that has been produced from recycled plastic bottles instead of oil in its clothing and home product ranges.
Plastic carrier bags will be made from recycled plastics and their use cut by 33%. Packaging will be reduced by 25% and will be made from sustainable or recycled sources.
Packaging materials will be limited to those that are easy to recycle or compost and only PP, PET, PE and cornstarch derived PLA, plastics will be used.
In developing Plan A, M&S took advice from sustainable development charity Forum for the Future
Founder director Jonathon Porritt said: “This plan sets a new benchmark in the way businesses should tackle critical sustainability challenges like waste, fair-trade and climate change.”
