Marks & Spencer unveils ambitious ‘eco-plan’

By 2012, Marks & Spencer plans to become carbon neutral, and set new standards in sustainable sourcing and ethical trading.

Called ‘Plan A’ (because there is no ‘Plan B’), the $394-million, business-wide ‘eco-plan’ will include:

• A 25-percent reduction in energy consumption;

• An increased effort to source regional and local food sources;

• A trial to convert food waste to power;

• A reduction in packaging (by only using cornstarch-derived plastic PLA, PP, PET and PE);

• An emphasis on sustainable sourcing, including using only free range turkey, geese, duck, pork and eggs; and only selling fish from a source which has been approved by the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) or other independently certified source;

• A step to clearly label food imported air;

• A 12-month plan to replace artificial colours with natural colors in kids' sweets and cakes.