Fully recyclable takeaway cups introduced across all 11 M&S cafes in Northern Ireland

Following the launch in 20 stores across the UK last year, from next month Marks & Spencer’s paper fibre takeaway coffee cup will be available in more than 300 cafes across the UK, including all 11 in Northern Ireland.

The change is expected to remove over 20 million units of plastic from M&S’ food business every year. As part of Plan A, M&S has committed to remove 1billion units of plastic packaging by 2027.

M&S has announced that it will be rolling out its market leading, paper fibre takeaway coffee cup to all cafes from next month.

In October, M&S became the first major high street coffee retailer to offer all hot drinks in a paper fibre cup and lid, which is 100% recyclable in household and on the go recycling.

Having launched in 20 stores from next month, the paper fibre coffee cups will be available in more than 300 M&S stores across the UK including cafés, vended coffee points and marketplaces within its foodhalls.

M&S currently has 11 cafes attached to stores in Northern Ireland, located in Newtownabbey, Ballymena, Bangor, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Foyleside, Lisburn, Newry, Omagh and two in Belfast.

M&S currently offers a 50p discount on all hot drinks in its cafes for customers who bring their own reusable cup which is the most sustainable option. However, when this isn’t possible M&S’ new cups are a planet friendly alternative.

Ryan Lemon, regional manager at M&S said: “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.”

M&S café has over 1000 trained master baristas ready to prepare delicious coffee. Last week, the retailer announced that customers will benefit from a change of espresso base recipe from 15g to 18g in each cup. This is alongside a reduction in water used to brew espresso from 60ml to 40ml creating overall a more intense espresso base for all coffees served in the M&S cafés.

The brand has made these changes to improve the quality of its coffee drinks and bring its offer more in line with customer's expectations of speciality coffee shops. With more coffee and less water, the bolder brew will also benefit from utilising whole milk as standard, resulting in a much smoother and more flavourful coffee.

M&S uses only RSPCA-assured milk and 100% Fairtrade tea and coffee in every drink. This combined with “A Cup of Ambition” programme which donates 1p for every tea and coffee sold is reinvested in leadership and climate resilience training, empowering suppliers to create positive change for their businesses and communities.