M&S Cuts 5.5 Million Plastic Units with New Paper Packaging for Men’s Essentials

M&S Cuts 5.5 Million Plastic Units with New Paper Packaging for Men’s Essentials

(IN BRIEF) Marks & Spencer has transitioned to recyclable paper packaging across its men’s socks, woven pyjama sets, and nearly 40% of its underwear lines, eliminating around 5.5 million plastic units annually from its Clothing & Home business. The move is part of the retailer’s Plan A sustainability programme and includes FSC-certified paper packaging with paper hooks. Pending successful trials, M&S aims to extend the initiative to further product lines, potentially removing an additional 3.5 million plastic units. This builds on a 2023 trial that eliminated over 4 million units of plastic from accessory packaging.

(PRESS RELEASE) LONDON, 16-Apr-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Marks & Spencer has unveiled a major packaging transformation in its men’s essentials range, replacing plastic with recyclable paper packaging across millions of products. This change affects all men’s socks and woven pyjama sets, as well as nearly 40% of its men’s underwear lines—removing close to 5.5 million units of plastic over the next year.

The move forms part of M&S’ wider Plan A sustainability roadmap, aimed at achieving net zero by 2040. The new packaging, made from FSC-approved paper and fitted with recyclable paper hooks, allows customers to easily recycle it at home. With M&S selling 20 million pairs of men’s socks annually and one in five men in the UK buying their underwear and nightwear from the retailer, the environmental impact is set to be significant.

Pending the results of further trials throughout 2025, M&S plans to expand the paper-based packaging to even more products within its men’s essentials range—potentially eliminating an additional 3.5 million units of plastic. This follows the success of 2023’s trial using paper packaging across men’s and women’s accessories like hats, gloves, and scarves, which cut over 4 million units of plastic.

“This one small change to our men’s essentials range will make a huge difference by removing over 5 million units of plastic from our supply chain,” said Katharine Beacham, Head of Sustainability in Clothing & Home at M&S. “It also gives our customers the confidence to make more sustainable choices more easily when they shop with us.”

By prioritising sustainable design and reducing unnecessary materials, M&S is reinforcing its reputation as a leader in sustainable retail packaging—and making it easier for customers to shop responsibly without compromising on quality.

Media Contact:

M&S Corporate Press Office
+44 (0)20 8718 1919
corporate.press@marks-and-spencer.com

SOURCE: M&S