Margaret Bates Focuses on Simpler Recycling After Leading the UK Packaging EPR Scheme
Last year, OPRL’s Managing Director Margaret Bates began a secondment to Defra as Head of Scheme Administrator, tasked with establishing the UK’s new packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme. For the past 20 months, Margaret has shouldered this complex and high-profile role, shaping how packaging EPR is implemented across the UK.
With Jez Blake now appointed as permanent Chief Executive of PackUK and Esther Carter as Chief Strategy Officer, Margaret will be shifting her focus toward the equally important challenge of Simpler Recycling policy.
Driving Collaboration Across the Packaging Supply Chain
Throughout her secondment, Margaret has been a visible and approachable leader. She has actively maintained strong dialogue with stakeholders across the packaging supply chain, ensuring businesses remained informed and engaged as EPR progressed.
Her commitment to accessibility has been clear: from answering queries directly, to presenting at countless industry events, webinars, and forums, Margaret has set a high bar for engagement and transparency. She has played a vital role in building trust between Defra and industry at a pivotal time.
Looking Ahead to Simpler Recycling
As Margaret transitions to focus more directly on Simpler Recycling, her experience and credibility position her perfectly to guide this critical next phase of policy development. The sector can be confident that her approach will continue to prioritise clarity, collaboration, and connection.
At OPRL, we are incredibly proud of what Margaret has accomplished during her secondment. We look forward to supporting her as she turns her attention to Simpler Recycling, and we are excited to see the impact she will make.
We also extend our best wishes to Jez and Esther in their new roles at PackUK, as together they continue to shape the future of packaging responsibility in the UK.
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