M&S announces major packaging change and says 'we have a responsibility to do the right thing'

The change affects some of the men's essentials range

Marks & Spencer has unveiled a major change that is expected to remove more than five million units of plastic from products across the organisation.

The major retailer announced that plastic packaging is to be removed from a huge range of products across the men's essentials range which includes socks, pyjamas and underwear.

All M&S men's socks, woven pyjama sets and nearly 40% of men's underwear lines will now be sold in recyclable paper packaging. The original plastic packaging is set to be replaced with paper packaging and paper hooks.

M&S has confirmed that this change is a trial, which if successful will be rolled out more widely to additional products in the men's essentials range.

Head of sustainability in clothing and home at M&S, Katharine Beacham 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 5 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.”

This change comes as part of M&S' Plan A initiative which is aiming to get the organisation at net zero by 2040.