Marks & Spencer saved about £11m on packaging last year along with £2m on fuel through its Plan A programme, the company has revealed in its latest review of the plan.
It has reported a net benefit of over £70 million was delivered as a result of Plan A activities last year, compared to £50 million in 2009/10.
“Savings on initiatives such as being more energy efficient in stores and distribution centres (£13.5m saving last year), using less fuel (£2m), hanger recycling and reuse (£1m), and packaging reductions (£11m) more than outweighed any investments M&S made in Plan A projects.”
It says it has achieved 95 of the 180 commitments in the eco and ethical programme. In addition, 77 are on plan. It is behind schedule on seven of the commitments and one of them is on hold.
M&S wants to become the world’s most sustainable major retailer by 2015.
The retailer said it had reduced carbon emissions by 13 per cent (25 per cent on like-for-like basis) since 2007.
In addition, fuel efficiency on delivery fleets had improved by 20 per cent (clothing, home and gifts) and 22 per cent (food) since 2007.
And it hit the 2012 target to reduce packaging by over 25 per cent a year early (excluding glass).