M&S and partners drive circular supermarket packaging

M&S and partners drive circular supermarket packaging

Sustainability

Leading UK retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) is joining forces with environmental advocate City to Sea, renowned household brand Ecover, and innovative startup Reposit in a united effort to advance the circular economy in supermarket packaging.

Together, this consortium aims to unveil a packaging solution that's both environmentally sound and commercially viable, driving a pivotal shift from single-use packaging to widespread reusable systems within the supermarket landscape.

City to Sea's innovative solution, aptly termed 'buy anywhere, return anywhere,' comprises a versatile and reusable packaging platform compatible with a wide array of retailers, product categories, and brands.

Under this pioneering system, consumers can purchase items like cleaning and beauty products in eco-friendly, returnable packaging for a small deposit. Once used, these empty reusable containers can be conveniently returned to registered drop-off points. Here, they undergo cleaning, refilling, and are then reintroduced to supermarkets, completing a sustainable cycle.

Introducing a groundbreaking partnership to tackle single use packaging credit City to Sea
Introducing a groundbreaking partnership to tackle single use packaging © City to Sea

The initiative has already proven successful, with trials conducted earlier this year in six M&S stores, focusing on ten home-care products.

Jane Martin, Head of Development, City to Sea, said: This is a game-changing moment in our collective battle against plastic pollution from packaging. Today we’re launching with our friends at Reposit, M&S, and Ecover a ‘buy anywhere, return anywhere’ reuse system cross brands and retailers. This means that customers will be able to easily and accessibly pick up their favourite products in packaging that has already been refilled safe in the knowledge that it will be used again and again!

Building on this success, the partnership is poised to expand its reach. Over the next six months, they plan to implement the scheme in 200 stores, covering as many as 100 products across the UK, signifying a significant step toward revolutionising packaging sustainability in the retail sector.

Latest Packaging News

Spring 2025: Packaging trends bloom with innovation, sustainability and digital shifts
Sustainability

Spring 2025: Packaging trends bloom with innovation, sustainability and digital shifts

As the packaging industry steps into spring 2025, innovation is blooming across the supply...
Portugal to introduce national deposit return scheme by 2026
Sustainability

Portugal to introduce national deposit return scheme by 2026

Portugal will roll out a nationwide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use beverage containers...
Interroll: Increase safety and reduce cost with automated pallet conveyor systems
Supplier News

Interroll: Increase safety and reduce cost with automated pallet conveyor systems

In today’s fast-paced logistics and manufacturing sectors, efficiency and safety have become...
PHS: Layer palletisers for beverages
Supplier News

PHS: Layer palletisers for beverages

Layer palletisers operate by systematically placing complete layers of products—such as bottles,...
Craemer Group: The new E3-5 pallet as Zero Virgin
Supplier News

Craemer Group: The new E3-5 pallet as Zero Virgin

The newly developed E3-5 pallet from Craemer is a robust all-rounder among heavy-duty pallets. For...