Marks & Spencer changes packaging on food items in all UK stores to cut back on waste

The FSC-approved paper packaging will replace plastic and it can be easily recycled at home. This will remove 5.5 million units of plastic from M&S Food every year.

This comes as part of the retailers' plans to remove 75 million units of plastic in 2023/2024.

Head of sustainability at M&S Food Lucinda Langton said: “We know our customers rank packaging as a top priority and M&S is committed to reducing plastic packaging as a key part of our Plan A roadmap to Net Zero.

"It's a good step forward to remove 5.5 million units from our supply chain and we continue to work with our suppliers to find innovative new materials, processes, and equipment so we can make change at scale.

"These changes mean our customers can trust that the M&S quality products they love are made, sourced, and packaged with care.”

This is one of many updates M&S has made to become more sustainable. It recently introduced paper fibre coffee cups and lids, and removed plastic bags from bananas.

Marks & Spencer added: "Reducing plastic packaging is one of the key issues M&S customers care strongly about and the retailer has a leading track record of taking action, such as being the first national retailer to introduce a fully recyclable paper fibre coffee cup and lid earlier this year.

"Other industry-leading moves, include switching from a plastic bag to a paper band on bunches of bananas and switching key produce lines such as British Collection vine tomatoes, mushrooms and tropical fruit to cardboard solutions.

"At the end of last year, M&S also announced that it met its target to remove 75 million units of plastic in 2023/24 four months earlier than planned.

"The brand has committed to removing one billion units by 2027, as part of its Plan A roadmap to net zero by 2040."

Takeaway coffee cups are often difficult to recycle but are widely used at cafes across the UK, including M&S cafes.

The retailer swapped ones with plastic linings, which are difficult to recycle, for fully recyclable cups made from paper fibre.

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This was rolled out last year, and it was projected that 20 million units of plastic would be removed as a result.

In other Marks & Spencer updates, the retailer released four new products which some shoppers said they "absolutely need".

It launched four new flavours of quality celebration cakes in the M&S Foodhall that are available for £20.

The new flavours include Pistachio & Raspberry, Chocolate & Hazelnut, Sicilian Lemon & Blackberry and Brown Sugar & Salted Caramel.