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'Plan A' right thing can be good for business, M&S

25 Nov '10
5 min read

Make Plan A how we do business

Over £3 million has been invested in 38 projects since the launch of the Plan A Innovation Fund in June. The fund provides resources for R&D activities for M&S teams and their suppliers and supports the early stages of development of new Plan A products and services for customers. Projects underway include M&S' first major move into rail distribution, a programme to reuse and recycle M&S uniforms and closed loop recycling of wool and cashmere.

Climate Change (making our operations carbon neutral and helping our customers and suppliers cut their emissions too)
399 aerodynamic teardrop trailers, which are 10 per cent more fuel efficient and can carry 10 per cent more stock, are being used to transport clothing, home and gift products to distribution centres across the UK. They represent over half of the M&S distribution fleet and by using the trailers M&S will reduce its carbon footprint by 2,300 tonnes a year.

Waste (stops sending waste to landfill and reduce our use of packaging and carrier bags)
M&S' clothes hanger recycling operation is now recycling and re-using over 150 million hangers a year – the biggest operation of its kind in the UK. The system is a closed loop operation with stores re-using hangers as many times as possible. Hangers that can no longer be used are returned to our supplier who refurbishes them or breaks down the material to use to make new hangers. These are then returned to M&S stores. The system saves 15,000 tonnes of CO2 every year and has saved over £5 million in raw material costs.

Natural resources
Farming For The Future, M&S' sustainable agriculture programme, is now live with over 10,000 farmers involved, including all M&S suppliers of fresh meat, dairy, produce and flowers.

The programme sets out very clear minimum standards and codes of practice covering emissions, waste, water and supporting biodiversity. Systems are also in place so that the farmers can work collaboratively through the M&S Producer Exchange – a website signposting best practice, advice and guidance on topics such as feeding efficiency and yield management.

M&S is also funding a number of innovation projects to address the key challenges in each sector which could range from sustainable sources of animal feed to season extensions for vegetables.

Fair partnership
Between June and September 340 M&S stores successfully completed a charity challenge to raise over £1 million in 100 days. 290 charities benefited from the fundraising which included fun runs, fancy dress, fashion shows, cycling tours, bake sales and charity bag packers.

Stores selected their own beneficiaries, which ranged from national charities such as Breakthrough Breast Cancer right through to local causes such as hospices and air ambulance crews.

Marks & Spencer plc

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