Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR)

What is pEPR?

New government regulations, called Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR), makes sure brands and retailers take responsibility for what happens to their packaging after it’s used. That means companies will now cover the costs of collecting, sorting, recycling, or disposing of their packaging waste.

This new system is replacing the old Packaging Waste Regulations and aims to create a fairer and more sustainable approach to dealing with packaging waste. The goal? Less waste, more recycling, and a healthier planet!

Who will it impact?

If you’re a business supplying packaging in the UK, these rules might apply to you! Here’s a quick checklist to see if you’re affected:

You’re an individual business, subsidiary, or group (but not a charity)
You have an annual turnover of £1 million or more
You were responsible for more than 25 tonnes of packaging in 2022

If that sounds like you, it’s time to get familiar with the new rules!

What kind of packaging is included?

The focus is on household packaging and shipment packaging – basically, all the materials that end up in a consumer’s hands. This includes things like:

Boxes
Wrappers
Films
Trays
Delivery packaging

But don’t worry, if your packaging is strictly business-to-business (like wholesale packaging that never reaches consumers), then it’s not included in the new regulations.

See how to assess household and non-household packaging here.

What are the fees?

Under pEPR, businesses will now pay fees based on the type and amount of packaging they produce. Here’s the interesting part: the fees are modulated, meaning they change depending on how recyclable the packaging is.

Recyclable packaging? Lower fees
Unrecyclable packaging? Higher fees

This system encourages businesses to use more sustainable packaging and reduce waste wherever possible.

Illustrative base fees have been published and will be updated as more packaging data is reported.

What does pEPR mean for recycling labels?

While mandatory labelling is not currently required under pEPR, consumer behaviour is crucial for its success.
Lack of engagement with recycling leads to lower material collection volumes, meaning higher pEPR costs for producers. Clear recycling guidance is needed to help consumers engage and do the right thing.

Mandatory labelling is expected in future updates to the legislation.

Reporting your packaging data

If your business is affected, you should already be reporting your packaging data. The UK government (Defra) has provided a handy online tool to check if you’re obligated under the rules, plus a detailed reporting guide to help you stay compliant.

The regulations that sit behind the reporting have also been published (The Packaging Waste (Data Reporting) (England) Regulations 2022) and we’ve highlighted some of the key aspects in this summary document.

Recyclability Assessment Methodology

Defra has released the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), which requires producers to assess and report on how recyclable their packaging is.

Liable producers who supply household packaging must assess the recyclability of that packaging and report the results of the assessment in their data reporting by 1st October 2025. Different kinds of packaging receive different ratings – red, amber or green. This rating affects the disposal fee that will be charged for that packaging (the modulated fee) that will be charged from October 2026.

How we support our members

We know this all sounds like a lot to keep track of, but don’t worry – we’re here to help! Our team keep our members up-to-date with:
✅ Exclusive access to tools and resources in our members’ area
✅ Informative and insightful webinars
✅ Recyclability Assessment Tool to aid in the reporting of your packaging data
✅ Access to our exclusive recycling labels and online labelling tool
✅ Easy-to-understand newsletters keeping you up to date with all the latest information

Want to stay ahead of the game? Join our scheme today! Contact us to learn more about how we can help your business navigate pEPR with ease.