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Packaging reduction saves M&S 11m in 2010/11

By Nick Mann

Marks & Spencer saved 11 million in 2010/11 as a result of packaging reduction initiatives carried out under its Plan A sustainability initiative.

The savings are outlined today (June 9) in an annual progress report on the programme, entitled How We Do Business Report, which also reveals it achieved a 94% recycling rate for waste from stores, offices and warehouses in 2010/11. This compares with 53% in 2009/10.

Marks & Spencer collected three million garments through the Oxfam Clothes Exchange initiative in 2010/11
Marks & Spencer collected three million garments through the Oxfam Clothes Exchange initiative in 2010/11

The retailer has set itself the target of sending zero operational waste to landfill by 2012, and noted that in March 2011 it recorded a 98% recycling rate. Waste treatment from all M&S sites is handled by DS Smith Recycling and Shanks under a three-year contract which began in April 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).

In total, out of 26 commitments made in relation to waste management under Plan A when it was launched in 2007, Marks & Spencer has achieved 14 goals, with the other 12 described as being on plan.

The commitments are made as part of Marks & Spencers aim of becoming the worlds most sustainable major retailer by 2015. Working towards these goals saved the company 70 million in total in 2010/11, compared to 50 million in 2009/10.

Among the key achievements relating to waste that are highlighted in the report are:
Reducing operational waste from 116 tonnes in 2008/09 to 77 tonnes in 2010/11 a 34% cut;
All food waste being sent to a range of treatment technologies, with 39% now treated using anaerobic digestion. The retailer plans to increase this percentage in 2011/12;
Reducing the weight of non-glass packaging by 26% per item since 2006/07, with non-glass packaging for food down by an average of 20% and for general merchandise, a reduction of 46%. This means the 25% packaging reduction goal set for 2012 was achieved a year early;
Reducing home delivery packaging by 16% between 2008/09 and the end of 2010;
Increasing the amount of recycled polyester used to 1,900 tonnes;
Collecting 10 million cards under the Woodland Trust Christmas Card recycling initiative, compared to eight million a year earlier;
Collecting three million garments as part of the Clothes Exchange it runs with Oxfam, compared to 1.8 million a year earlier.

Recycling partnerships

The retailer also highlighted the progress it had made on its packaging recycling partnership work. This involves it providing 1.25 million over a five-year period for councils which are members of the Somerset Waste Partnership to extend kerbside collections of card and plastic (see letsrecycle.com story).

Marks & Spencer said this work had captured 5,000 tonnes of packaging waste in 2010/11 and confirmed it now plans to extend the scheme to the Kent Waste Partnership during 2011/12.

The companys chief executive, Marc Bolland, commented: Plan A is now delivering more for our customers than ever before. It is creating great products with eco and ethical benefits like the worlds first Fairtrade vegetable and the Indigo Green fashion range. Over 180,000 people recycled their unwanted clothes with the Oxfam Clothes Exchange.

And, in the report, the company said its future goals for waste would involve it focusing on diverting all remaining waste from landfill and working in partnership to develop the recycling facilities it makes available to customers.

We will also continue to work with our suppliers on reducing waste in our supply chains, it added.

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