Overview

A biodegradable packaging component made from renewable resources to enable a completely biodegradable and home-compostable solution allows consumers to choose the most appropriate end-of-life disposal based on local infrastructure.

Motivation for Change

We chose Plantic® packaging in accordance with our overall environmental and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, "Plan A". Plan A is a five-year, 100-point plan to combat climate change, reduce waste, safeguard natural resources, trade ethically and build a healthier nation.

Performance

Plantic® materials can be formulated to work in conjunction with conventional plastics, and they can also be processed using industry standard equipment such as thermoforming, injection molding and other extrusion processes.

Sourcing

A Plantic® tray has more than 90% renewable content which also drove Marks & Spencer to choose this material.

Effective Recovery

Plantic® is completely biodegradable in soil. It is water dispersible, home compostable and made from non-GM corn starch. In a home compost, a Plantic® tray would biodegrade within 7-10 days. Plantic® material is also compostable to European standards (13432). All of these environmental claims are further supported by Plantic's AIB-VINCOTTE certifications and the DIN Certco's Kompostierbar/Compostable certification. Marks & Spencer's aim to ensure that no waste is sent to landfill after 5 years was also a driving factor in choosing Plantic® packaging for our Swiss Chocolate Assortment.

Community Benefit

The product packaging provides outstanding consumer education by clearly communicating disposal information on the outer box, which is recyclable.