M&S to replace plastic bags with certified paper bags

M&S is making a significant change by switching to Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper bags for checkout. This step is an extension of their ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ initiative for click-and-collect orders in clothing and home, aiming to eliminate over 10 million units of plastic each year.

Starting this week, M&S will replace their ecoloop plastic ‘bags for life’ with these responsibly sourced paper bags across clothing, home, and food. The retailer collaborated with the University of Sheffield to create these bags made from renewable energy and capable of multiple uses.

The result is a water-resistant paper bag manufactured using renewable energy from a hydro-powered paper mill in Scandinavia. These bags have been independently tested and can endure over 100 reuses, with the added benefit of easy foldability into a backpack.

M&S has introduced two types of sustainable paper bags: a standard one for clothing and home, and a robust version capable of carrying more than 15 kilograms.