M&S extends Plan A sustainable cotton programme

Launched in 2009 under its Plan A sustainability programme, M&S said this second phase of the 'Better Cotton’ project would bring the retailer closer to its goal of delivering "Plan A quality" to every M&S product by 2020.

"We’re now on that journey and are already delivering products that are made with more sustainable cotton," said Mark Sumner, M&S’ cotton specialist. "Customers can shop at M&S with every confidence that we are taking a responsible approach to how cotton is sourced."

Responsible sourcing

Under Plan A, M&S aims to source 15 per cent of the company’s raw materials sustainability by 2015 and as part of that, 'Better Cotton’ is expected to deliver 21,000 tonnes of environmentally friendly cotton over the next four and half years, the company said.

To date 6,000 cotton farmers in Warangal in the Andhra Pradesh region of India have benefited from M&S’ 'Better Cotton’ project, which has been approved by the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) and is being run with the help of WWF.

Project success
Data released today shows the programme to date has reduced water use by 51 per cent, cut pesticide 'active ingredient’ use by 81 per cent and reduced synthetic fertiliser use by 53 per cent. M&S said the programme would now be extended to another 14,000 farmers bringing down their cost of doing business and improving the health and safety of them and their families.

"Phase two of Warangal is a significant investment for M&S and it brings with it a significant reduction in the impact cotton grown in Warangal has on the environment. It also helps to improve the health and safety of the farmers as well as making more money for them by improving how they manage their crop by reducing the costs of inputs such as pesticides and fertilisers," said Sumner.

In phase two, WWF and M&S will monitor the effect the project is having on the local water supply and see if it is improving the availability of water for the local population and environment.

Plan A

M&S’ Plan A aims to position the company as the world’s most sustainable major retailer by the 2015. It aims to do this by among other things, ensuring that at least 50 per cent of M&S’ 2.7 billion products across 36,000 product lines carry at least one sustainable or ethical quality – such as Better Cotton, Fairtrade or Marine Stewardship Council certification. 

Last year, Plan A brought a net benefit of £70 million to M&S, up from £50 million in 2009-10.