M&S to roll out fully recyclable coffee cups in all its cafes

M&S has announced that it will be rolling out fully recyclable takeaway coffee cups to all its cafes from next month. 

The move comes after M&S became the first major high street coffee retailer to offer its coffee and all hot drinks in a paper fibre cup and lid, which is 100% recyclable. 

Having initially launched in 20 stores, from next month the paper fibre coffee cups will be available in over 300 M&S stores across the UK including M&S Cafés, vended coffee points and marketplaces within its food halls.

Last year, M&S met its Plan A target to remove 75 million units of plastic in 2023/24 and this roll out is expected to remove a further 20 million units of plastic packaging each year from M&S’ food business. 

The expansion follows the introduction of new recyclable paper packaging across the range of sandwiches and toasties available in all its cafes earlier this year, which removed 4.5 million units of plastic.

Alicia Thompson, director of hospitality at M&S food, siad: “Our goal is to offer customers the most sustainable cup of coffee on the high street. A takeaway coffee they can feel good about drinking because it comes in fully recyclable cups, uses delicious 100% Fairtrade coffee beans and is made with RSPCA Assured fresh milk. 

“Our customers care strongly about reducing plastic and they’ve supported our move to paper fibre cups. With no impact to the taste or temperature of their hot drink – and now 100% recyclable – this is one of the ways we’re supporting our customers to make small changes in their everyday lives, which have a big impact on the environment.”