Marks & Spencer vows to stop displaying knickers and bras on plastic hangers after customers complain they are inundated when they order items online
- M&S want to display lingerie on tables and remove hangers from online buys
- Customers have complained about being inundated with too many hangers
- M&S say they are ‘committed’ sustainable packing and collect and reuse hangers
- The store chain have a goal of ‘becoming a zero-waste business by 2025’
Marks & Spencer is looking to do away with hangers to display and sell its knickers and bras in an effort to cut back on plastic waste.
The retailer is exploring avenues including displaying lingerie on tables in stores and removing hangers from online purchases.
It comes after M&S received complaints from customers placing online orders.
They argued that hangers were unnecessarily being included in packages for lingerie, nightwear and children’s clothes when they could have easily been folded instead.
Marks & Spencer is looking to do away with hangers to display and sell its knickers and bras in an effort to cut back on plastic waste Pictured: Marks & Spencers in London
M&S customers argued that hangers were unnecessarily being included in packages for lingerie, nightwear and children’s clothes when they could have easily been folded instead
One shopper complained on social media: ‘I received four pairs of knickers from M&S online – all on hangers – really no need! Just remove them in the warehouse before dispatch and reuse them.’
Another said she was inundated with tiny hangers when she ordered baby clothes.
M&S has said it is ‘committed’ to providing sustainable packaging and does currently collect and reuse hangers throughout its 180 stores.
Currently, hangers can be returned to its shops where they will be reused or recycled.
A spokeswoman added that since 2007 it has prevented a billion hangers from being sent to landfill.
She also added that shops were now displaying their underwear on tables to slash the number of hangers used.
She added: ‘In store, we have introduced a new display format whereby some lingerie is displayed on tables – removing the need for hangers. We plan to expand this format further.
‘As we work towards our goal of becoming a zero-waste business by 2025, we are actively looking at ways to remove hangers before sending online orders to our customers and have a number of trials ongoing.
‘Our jeans hangers contain 70% less plastic than the previous version and are designed for reuse using clever circular design.
‘Re returning the product without the hanger – underwear can be returned without them – the customer just needs to make sure they have the swing ticket with the barcode in place and, where relevant, the hygiene seal.’