May 17, 2008

M&S to launch packaging website for consumers


Marks & Spencer hopes to educate its customers about its packaging through a new website provisionally scheduled to launch alongside Recycle Week in June.

The website will include information about packaging optimisation work already carried out by M&S and a glossary of materials used by the company.

It will also feature a list compiled with the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) detailing which M&S packs are currently recyclable, not recyclable in all local authorities, and not recyclable at all.

M&S senior packaging technologist Dr Mark Caul told delegates at the British Plastics Federation conference in Macclesfield yesterday (15 May) that packaging "still has a part to play in the future".

However, consumers were not aware of the amount of "hidden packaging" used throughout the supply chain, he explained.

M&S, for example, uses returnable plastic trays to transport products to stores.

Other speakers at the BPF event included futurologist Ray Hammond, "manufacturing guru" Lord Bhattacharyya, and David Paul, head of petrochemicals and plastics at Barclays Bank.

The fifth annual recycle week has been organised by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (Wrap) in partnership with leading materials recycling organisations British Glass, Corus, Novelis, PaperChain and Recoup.

Recyle Week will commence on 2 June 2008.

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