Marks and Spencer (M&S) has switched to paper packaging on garlic baguettes, removing around 5.5 million units of plastic each year.

The supermarket claims it the first retailer in the UK to move single and twin garlic baguettes into paper packaging which has been approved by the Forrest Stewardship Council (FCS.)

M&S said it sells around 4.3 million single garlic baguettes per year.

The move is part of the retailer’s Plan A, an accelerator fund which works with M&S suppliers with the aim of reaching net zero across all its operations by 2040.

The retailer said that reducing plastic packaging is one of the “key issues” that its customers care about, adding that it has committed to removing one billion units of plastic by 2027.

M&S has recently taken other steps to reduce its plastic packaging from its products. Earlier this year, it introduced a fully recyclable paper fibre coffee cup and lid.

“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,” said Lucinda Langton, head of sustainability at M&S Food. “It’s a good step forward to remove 5.5m 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.”

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