M&S Trials Paper Packaging for Chocolate Bars in Sustainability Push

If successful, this trial could lead to a broader rollout, helping to eliminate over 1.4 million plastic units from M&S Food halls in the next year alone.

The initiative aligns with M&S’s ongoing commitment to sustainable packaging. In recent months, the retailer has introduced several eco-friendly changes, including replacing avocado plastic trays with cardboard alternatives—expected to remove 7 million plastic units annually—and redesigning porridge pots with easily separable cardboard wraps to enhance recyclability.

M&S has already surpassed its interim goal of removing 75 million plastic units from its supply chain for the 2024/25 period. The company remains on track to eliminate a total of one billion plastic units by the end of the 2027/28 fiscal year as part of its Plan A sustainability strategy, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2040.

This shift towards sustainable materials is part of a growing industry trend, with major retailers exploring new packaging solutions to meet consumer demand and regulatory requirements for environmentally responsible products.

For those interested in the latest innovations in sustainable packaging, London Packaging Week provides a key industry platform. Taking place on October 15-16, 2025, at Excel London, the event showcases advancements in packaging across food, beauty, luxury goods, and more.