In March 2007, we launched the world's first plastic milk bottle made using post consumer waste recycled material.

Now all M&S organic milk bottles contain 10% recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Using recycled plastic from used milk bottles, in new milk bottles, is a new process that presented some challenges on the way. We teamed up with experts across the food industry to work out the best process and come up with a safe, effective solution.

By incorporating recycled plastic, we're reducing the amount of virgin plastic we use, which in turn cuts down the amount of oil we need to create plastics.

Our world-first innovation was recognised at the UK's premier packaging awards last year. M&S Head of Packaging Helene Roberts said: "To be part of the team that has found a way to recycle plastic back into food packaging for the first time is a fantastic result... As far as we're concerned, this is just the start of the process. As further recycled HDPE plastic becomes available we aim to increase the recycled content in our plastic milk bottles and use it across our entire fresh milk range." To hear more from Helene on our ideas about packaging, click here.