M&S announces glitter-free Christmas collection to improve recyclability.

Marks & Spencer has removed all of the glitter from their Christmas range to improve recyclability and reduce the impact of microplastics on the environment.

The Christmas celebration collection at M&S includes products like greeting cards, wrapping paper, tags, gift bags, calendars and crackers, which will all be completely free of glitter. The festive packaging of plants, flowers and food will also be glitter-free.

Any designs that previously had sparkles or glitter have been reworked to include innovative paper patterns and foils which are widely recyclable but are still just as festive.

As part of their plastic reduction plan, M&S have also committed to being 100% glitter-free for all of their cards and gift wrapping products by the end of next year, not just during the festive period.

M&S have also added clear and simple recycling instructions on the back of their wrapping paper, explaining how to remove tape or decorations, like bows from the paper before it’s recycled.

The majority of boxed cards sold in M&S have had their plastic packaging changed for easily-recyclable card, which has saved over 50 tonnes of plastic packaging.

Paul Willgoss, Director of Food Technology at M&S, said: “We know reducing single-use plastics is as important to our customers as it is to our business, so removing glitter from our cards and wrap range will make it easier for them to celebrate Christmas in a more sustainable way. This is a step in the right direction as we continue working on our plans to completely remove glitter from the range next year.” 

The retailer’s plastic reduction plan has already removed over 1000 tonnes of plastic packaging from across the business, with M&S working hard to make all of their packaging recyclable by the end of 2022.

2 September 2019

Climate Action