Marks & Spencer today unveils what it is calling the ‘world's most sustainable suit'.

In a revolutionary step forward for a clothing retailer, M&S has ensured the suit is made from the most sustainable materials possible – everything from the buttons to the lining have been carefully sourced to produce one of the greenest garments ever made.

The suit has taken several years to develop by a team of M&S experts who have worked to ensure the suit is not only made from the most sustainable materials available, but is also impeccably well cut and of the highest quality.

Mark Sumner, M&S Plan A Sustainable Raw Material Expert, said: “This a huge step forwards for the industry; it is the first time such an intricate garment has been made of sustainable materials, and as well as being one of the greenest garments available on the high street, it is incredibly stylish and something we hope our customers will be proud to wear.”

The different elements of the suit include:

• Wool – the suit is made from organic wool which is fully traceable back to the farms from where it is produced. In addition, all of the chemicals used in the production of the wool fibre are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) approved, to reflect the fact that as the fibre has been organically produced;
• Lining – made from recycled plastic bottles;
• Canvas (used inside the main body of the suit) – made from recycled polyester;
• Buttons – reclaimed buttons;
• Pockets and waistband – made from reclaimed fabric;
• Labels – all of the labels inside the suit, even the ‘Care Instructions', have been made from recycled polyester.

As part of its Plan A commitment to be the world's most sustainable retailer, M&S is committed to ensure that all of its products will have a Plan A attribute by 2020.

Mark continued: “We set ourselves a big challenge with a suit as it contains so many different elements that we had to consider, but as part of our Plan A objectives we are determined to ensure all of the products we sell not only look great but are sustainably sourced; the suit is the perfect example – it is very stylish, of the highest quality, sustainably made – and all for under £350.”

In another first, M&S has also added a ‘QR' code to the suit label which can be scanned using a mobile phone so customers can download information on the suit and the materials it is made from.

The suit is just the first in a new range of sustainable clothing that M&S will be launching during 2012, all of which will be made in the most sustainable way possible.

500 suits have been made and will launch online and in stores in September as part of the M&S ‘Saville Row' suit range, priced at £349.

To find out more visit http://social.marksandspencer.com/plan-a/sustainale-fashion-mens-suit.

- Ends - 

Notes to editors

• M&S is currently working on finding a more sustainable source of thread and shoulder pads. However, the thread and shoulder pads currently used in the suit are from M&S approved suppliers and comply with the retailers strict sourcing standards;
• The Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) is recognised as the leading processing standard for textiles made from organic fibres worldwide. It defines high level environmental criteria along the entire supply chain of organic textiles and requires compliance with social criteria as well. The whole supply chain from field through manufacture to final product must be certified, and certification bodies check against environmental and social standards throughout processing. The GOTS standard covers the following areas:

1. Fibre content requirements;
2. Accessories and additional materials permitted;
3. Labelling requirements;
4. Restrictions and requirements for chemical inputs;
5. Meeting minimum social criteria;
6. Separation and identification of organic product;
7. Environmental policy;
8. Basic quality requirements.

• Plan A is Marks & Spencer's environmental and ethical programme which aims to make M&S the world's most sustainable major retailer by 2015. Launched in 2007 and extended in March 2010, it takes an holistic approach to sustainability focusing on involving customers, engaging all areas of the business and tackling issues such as climate change, waste, raw materials, health and being a fair partner.

For further information

Liz Williams, liz.williams@marksandspencer.com, 0208 718 6369

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