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EPR
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WHAT IS EPR?

  • Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) explores the costs associated with processing packaging waste in the UK.
  • Legislation builds on current waste regulations from 2007.
  • Under EPR, a single producer will be responsible for covering costs across the life of a product, including recovery, processing and disposal.
  • Producers include UK brand owners, Fillers of unbranded packaging, importers or suppliers of packaging to small businesses.
  • EPR incentivises producers to adopt sustainable design choices that are easier to recycle at kerbside.
  • Introduces higher charges for harder to recycle materials through modulated fees (2026).
  • EPR will begin with a focus on Household waste only. Existing PRN system will run in parallel with changes to reporting system expected.
  • Small and Large Businesses have different responsibilities and deadlines for action on registration, reporting and payments.

Fees

  • Due against household waste.
  • Payable from October 2025.
  • Based on broad material type.
  • Fee modulation expected to be introduced in 2026. Packaging that is easier to recycle will be priced at proportionally less per tonne.
  • Defra have issued indicative base fees. These will be subject to change until April 2025.

Exempt Packaging

  • Reusable primary packaging on its second cycle through a reusable system
  • Producion or packaging residues.
  • Packaging or Packaging Materials exported from United Kingdom on producers’ behalf.
  • Reused secondary or tertiary packaging, except for reused packaging imported to UK.

Labelling

The decision from Defra to remove mandatory recycling labelling for the introduction of EPR is to help avoid potentially unnecessary costs to businesses and frictions to trade due to similar reforms currently being considered by the EU.

Our understanding is that this is a temporary position and mandatory labelling will be included in future amendments to the EPR legislation.

As an example of best practice, OPRL will evolve to align with EPR requirements. As OPRL members we get regular updates that inform the information we share with our customers.

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