British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has introduced paper packaging for its garlic baguettes, claiming to be the first retailer in the UK to do so. 

The initiative will enable the retailer to eliminate 5.5 million units of plastic annually. 

M&S' single and twin garlic baguettes are now encased in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-approved paper that can be recycled with ease.  

The single garlic baguette product accounts for 4.3 million unit sales each year. 

This is part of the many initiatives undertaken by the retailer to reduce its plastic packaging. 

Earlier this year, M&S became the first UK-based retailer to introduce a fully recyclable paper fibre coffee cup and lid.  

The retailer also replaced plastic bags with paper bands on banana bunches and transitioned key produce lines to cardboard packaging. 

In a recent announcement, M&S revealed that it had surpassed its target to remove 75 million units of plastic by the end of 2023-24, achieving this goal four months ahead of schedule.  

The company is committed to eliminating one billion units of plastic by 2027, aligning with its Plan A roadmap to achieve net zero by 2040. 

M&S Food sustainability head Lucinda Langton said: “We know our customers rank packaging as a top priority and M&S is committed to reducing plastic packaging as a key part of our Plan A roadmap to net zero.  

“It's a good step forward to remove 5.5m [million] units from our supply chain and we continue to work with our suppliers to find innovative new materials, processes, and equipment so we can make change at scale. These changes mean our customers can trust that the M&S quality products they love are made, sourced, and packaged with care.” 

In May this year, M&S joined forces with recycling technology company Polytag to trace the life cycle of its plastic packaging, the Guardian reported.