Not all 5-year plans are stifling.

I need to tell you how much I love Marks & Spencer.

How many high street retailers do you see massively promoting initiatives such as this?

“Because there is no Plan B.” I absolutely love it.

Any prepared meal you buy from M&S carries a label detailing how to dispose of each part of the product: Film recycled through plastics, sleeve recycled through papers, tray recycled through plastics. Common sense? Sure. But the extra effort is commendable.

Factoring in environmental concerns invariably raises the price of products. The most impressive part is that M&S has undertaken this scheme while it’s still in a relatively delicate situation following recent financial woes. Its profits have increased measurably over the past couple of years, but it’s still in no position to compete with the Evil Empire. Nor should it try. M&S has been so successful at pushing its green campaign that it’s forced Tesco to commit to its own line of fair trade products. In doing so, they’ve helped to change the rules of the game. It’s quite possible to argue, somewhat cynically, that the green initiative was conceived solely to establish a trendy campaign with universal appeal. But it’s raising awareness regardless, and that counts for something.

Not all liberals hate corporations. Many would simply like to see a greater amount of corporate accountability accepted by a greater number of successful firms. Thanks, M&S, for being a pacesetter.