Marks & Spencer is the worst supermarket in terms of packaging, according to a new study by consumer body Which?

Despite leading the way in other environment-friendly policies, such as charging for plastic bags, the upmarket retailer came out bottom in terms of packaging weight.

Its mushroom punnets were said to be heavier than all its rivals while its ice cream tubs are some 16g heavier than the Sainsbury’s equivalents.

Which? bought 27 own-brand items from the leading supermarkets, including fresh and frozen food, and weighed its packaging.

Which? released the total packaging weight for just three supermarkets. Sainsbury's came in the lightest at 369g in terms of packaging, including labels, while Tesco totalled 370g and M&S 415g.

Supermarkets and manufacturers need to put in more effort to cut out excessive packaging and ultimately save money, the study concluded.

M&S responded to the study claiming it was inaccurate as it did not take recycled materials into account. In a statement, it said: "We use as much recycled content as possible - which can make our plastic packaging weigh more but means it's more environmentally sustainable.”

Under its ambitious Plan A programme, the retailer intends to become carbon neutral by 2012 and ensure none of its packaging needs to be sent to landfill.

In another Which? survey into plastic bags used in online grocery deliveries, Tesco and Sainsbury's came out worst, both using 14 bags for just 29 different items, with Waitrosedeliver.com coming out on top with seven bags.

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