A MYSTERY Guernsey woman has sparked a debate about Marks & Spencer’s recyclable food packaging in the island. Chief executive Sir Stuart Rose was asked by the local at the Hay-on-Wye Festival in Wales what he was going to do about the packaging that goes into landfill on the island.
She told him: ‘I live on Guernsey and we do not recycle any of our packaging. It all goes into landfill. Haven’t you got a sense of responsibility about that?’
He said the island’s M&S stores were not owned by the company but operated as franchises by a Guernsey-owned business – Creaseys. ‘But I agree it is a concern and I will make sure I speak to the guy in charge,’ he said. ‘I will speak to our people about it when I get back to work on Tuesday after the bank holiday.’
The question was asked during a talk by Sir Stuart about M&S’s campaign to reduce waste by charging for carrier bags and making 90% of its food packaging recyclable.
Peter Creasey said he had not yet been contacted by Sir Stuart and defended the retailer’s reputation.
‘We have always taken our environmental responsibility seriously,’ he said.
‘We were the first sponsor of recycling bins when they were introduced to the island many years ago.
‘M&S has taken enormous steps to address environmental concerns under its “Plan A” initiative, including the recent introduction of a 5p charge for single use plastic food carriers, an initiative adopted in Guernsey by all the major food retailers.
‘It has also placed recycling logos on more than 80% of it’s food packaging to inform customers as to the materials used and help them to recycle more easily.’
Mr Creasey said more than 90% of M&S packaging was recyclable, but it was unlikely Guernsey would reach this level for some time due to the limited facilities available.
‘While these facilities are improving, there are still restrictions on what Guernsey residents can and can’t recycle locally.’
Article posted on 28th May, 2008 - 11.30am
6 Article Comments
Take the packaging off in the shop whilst paying and leave it at the till if you don’t want to deal with it – M&S might get fed up disposing of their own rubbish if enough people do this.
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Well done,im sure in no time Sir stuart rose will be on the phone to mr creasey saying cheque is in the post offering to pay for a recyceling centre for the island!! While you were there spouting words of wisdom,u should have mentioned we also have no sewage plant on island and the waste from the food i eat from your company ends up being washed out to sea will u supply a sewage treatment plant for our island as well???? MYSTERY WOMEN….GET A LIFE & SHUT UP!!!
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So Nathan, we just stick our head in the sand and pretend that these issues don’t exist!. It takes people like this to stand up and get issues resolved, with an attitude like yours you should consider a career as a deputy, you would fit in nicely
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‘I live on Guernsey and we do not recycle any of our packaging. It all goes into landfill. Haven’t you got a sense of responsibility about that?’
I think the statement itself speaks volumes – the fact is that M&S have made their packaging recyclable – which means they’ve done their part. So wouldn’t a more appropriate question be…don’t WE feel a sense of responsibility that WE don’t recycle OUR packaging? We moved from Guernsey to a town that implemented such an effective kerbside recycling programme that in just 3 years, waste disposal has gone from being a huge expense to a significant source of revenue (without any charge to locals!) – and the profits are now being ploughed back into the programme – how’s that for progress? I admit I was cynical about the scheme when we arrived, but I can only applaud the people who drove this project to such impressive results – proving it can be done!
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Well said Harry, I think Nathan should consider what ever career he wants to, just as long as it is away from Guernsey.
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Dan had a good point, the rest of you Stop arguing and put your energy into phoning who you voted for and moan at them instead about sewage and recycle. If you didn’t vote or phone your deputies to let your opinions be known then perhaps you have no valid comment!
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