June 7, 2023
(press release)
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M&S removes use by dates on ‘too good to waste’ RSPCA Assured fresh milk. Change to ‘Best Before’ labelling on fully recyclable milk bottles this week. Nearly 490 million pints wasted each year by consumers according to WRAP. Retailer on track to meet 50% reduction in food waste by 2030. Key Highlights: * Nearly 490 million pints wasted each year by consumers according to WRAP. * M&S is targeting a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, with 100% of edible surplus to be redistributed by 2025 as part of its roadmap to net zero. * M&S’ latest Family Matters Index revealed that 72% of
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* Milk is the third most wasted food in the home behind potatoes and bread, with around 490 million pints poured down the drain every year - 18 and a half per household - worth £270 million. Original Press Release:
- Change to ‘Best Before’ labelling being rolled out across all M&S Select Farms British and organic milk in
Source:
- M&S the first retailer to offer ‘Best Before’ labelling on fully recyclable milk bottles
- Nearly 490 million pints wasted each year by consumers according to WRAP
- M&S’ 2023 Sustainability Report published today announces 46% reduction in food waste achieved with retailer on track to meet 50% reduction by 2030
Marks & Spencer has removed ‘Use By’ dates across its RSPCA Assured Select Farms British and organic fresh milk as part of its commitment to halving food waste by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2040.
The change, which is being rolled out across all M&S
M&S is the first retailer to offer ‘Best Before’ labelling on fully recyclable milk bottles, following the removal of coloured plastic caps on milk earlier this year, helping customers to tackle food waste and play their part in a circular economy – two key areas where customers want to make an impact.
Helping customers to make more sustainable choices
M&S’ latest Family Matters Index revealed that 72% of
The combination of improved shelf life and overall quality of milk in recent years has enabled M&S to make the change to ‘Best Before’ dates, which means customers can use their judgement before throwing away milk which may be too good to waste.
In 2017 M&S became the first to stock RSPCA Assured milk, and today M&S offers more RSPCA Assured products, which meet the RSPCA’s strict animal welfare standards, than any other retailer. Additionally, M&S’ Milk Pledge, in place since 1999, has guaranteed all dairy pool farmers a fair and sustainable farmgate price, separate from the retail price, giving them the security to invest in higher animal welfare standards.
M&S is targeting a 50% reduction in food waste by 2030, with 100% of edible surplus to be redistributed by 2025 as part of its roadmap to net zero, and M&S’ Sustainability Report released today details the progress made.
In July last year, M&S removed best before dates across over 300 fruit and veg lines. These were replaced with a new code which M&S store colleagues use to ensure freshness and quality is maintained while allowing customers to throw away less food at home by using their judgement on what’s still good to eat. Alongside this M&S introduced food waste redistribution as a key target for all stores, and its 7 year old Neighbourly partnership reached the milestone of 60 million meals donated to
Today’s Sustainability Report publication outlines the impact of these actions with the retailer now having achieved a 46% reduction in food waste, up from 29% in 2022, and redistribution of 79% of all edible food, up from 56% last year, with the retailer on track to hit its targets.
Reshaping M&S for growth that is sustainable in every sense
Reducing in-store and household food waste is one example of the action M&S has taken this year to reshape for growth which is sustainable in every sense.
Integrated across the business, Plan A has been pioneering since its inception in 2007 and driven M&S to tackle the issues that matter most to customers, from delivering a net zero business by 2040, to reducing food waste, plastic packaging and maintaining our high animal welfare standards.
M&S’ 2023 Sustainability Report released today details the progress made across the business including:
* Saving over 10 million pieces of plastic by introducing a Bring Your Own Bag initiative to Click & Collect orders within Clothing & Home
* Becoming the first national retailer to sell only 100% slower reared, higher welfare RSCPA Assured fresh chicken
* Bringing high speed electric vehicle charge points to M&S stores across the
* Launching our biggest ever health campaign partnering with the UK’s national football teams and their football associations to encourage families to make healthier food choices
Today, Plan A is not a separate programme but is embedded within the business priorities to reshape M&S for growth. The full M&S 2023 Sustainability Report is available to view here.
For further information, please contact: Corporate.Press@marks-and-spencer.com
Notes to Editors
A full list of key Plan A activities through 2022/2023 across M&S is outlined below:
* 26th: M&S teams up with Bowel Cancer
* 27th: M&
* 1st: M&S trials refillable own-brand homecare and laundry products at six M&S stores
* 7th: M&S launches first sustainability focused start-up challenge seeking tech-focused partners in its efforts to build a sustainable future and achieve its net zero by 2040 goal.
* 17th: M&S removes best before dates across 300 fruit and veg lines in bid to tackle food waste
* 22nd: M&S launches recyclable tomato packaging as part of retailer’s Plan A target for 100% of food packaging to be widely recyclable by 2025 and reduce plastic packaging by 1bn units by 2027/28.
* 15th: M&S teams up with Agrisound to boost pollinator activity on
* 7th M&S becomes first national retailer to offer new higher-welfare fresh Oakham gold chicken, 100% RSPCA assured
* 8th: M&S Bowel Cancer Get On A Roll own-brand toilet roll packaging launches in store as part of campaign
* 5th: M&S Food Reaches Milestone Of 50 million Meals Donated to Local Charities Across
* 8th: M&S teams up with
* 10th: M&S collaborates with
* 23rd: M&S teams up with
* 28th: M&S is the first major retailer to roll out reduced packaging initiative for click & collect orders following successful customer trial
* 30th: M&S expands food waste scheme turning surplus loaves into frozen garlic bread to 125 more stores
[Category: Household Durables, Paper/Forest Products, Department Stores, Dairy Farming, Environmental & Facilities Services, ESG]
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