How Valpak transformed packaging data management for Pret A Manger
Pret A Manger (Europe) Ltd is a globally recognised restaurant and coffee chain known for freshly prepared food and organic coffee. Operating across numerous markets with an extensive packaging portfolio, Pret must comply with rapidly evolving environmental regulations, including the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) Regulations and wider sustainability obligations.
As the Packaging Waste Regulations intensified, Pret A Manger faced growing complexity in meeting its environmental compliance duties. Since 2023, the business has been required to report detailed packaging data, collected from multiple suppliers, to meet UK pEPR regulations. However, new requirements, including Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) data and increased granularity across packaging formats and materials, introduced significant operational pressure.
Pret needed accurate, supplier-verified packaging weights, reliable sustainability data, and a means of tracking costs across materials, suppliers, and formats. In addition, rising pEPR and PRN prices meant Pret required proactive fee forecasting and strategic insights to help budget effectively and reduce exposure to future modulated fees.
With regulations changing frequently, Pret required an expert partner who could provide compliant submissions, robust data management systems, and clear visibility of upcoming regulatory shifts.
Valpak delivered a comprehensive, end-to-end data and compliance service tailored to Pret’s needs.
Valpak’s Supplier Data Hub acted as the central point for gathering packaging information from Pret’s supplier base.
- Supplier outreach and support
- Collection of packaging weights and specifications
- Verification of data for accuracy and completeness
This ensured Pret had a dependable, compliant dataset for its pEPR submissions.
Find out more...Using Valpak’s Insight Platform, Pret gained instant visibility of its packaging, suppliers, recyclability, and compliance costs. The platform enabled Pret to:
- Identify packaging items with the highest tonnage contribution
- Track supplier data gaps and data quality issues
- Assess recyclability levels and RAM classification
- Forecast pEPR fees by material, supplier, and category
- Review sustainability metrics such as recycled content and material mix
This gave Pret a centralised view of key cost drivers and sustainability hotspots.
Find out more...Valpak provided detailed RAM service reports, including:
- Product-level pEPR and PRN cost breakdowns
- Direct and indirect cost modelling
- Identification of materials most affected by modulated fees
- Full packaging component analysis per SKU
These insights highlighted actionable opportunities to improve recyclability and reduce future EPR exposure.
Find out more...Valpak ensured Pret remained ahead of developments by:
- Monitoring upcoming pEPR and RAM changes
- Providing quarterly PRN and pEPR fee forecasts
- Highlighting high-cost packaging types and suppliers
- Advising on budgeting strategies and compliance risk mitigation
This allowed Pret to prepare early for new requirements, particularly the introduction of modulated fees.
Accurate, supplier-verified EPR submissions
Reduced risk of non-compliance through reliable, consistently maintained packaging data.
Clear visibility of cost drivers
Detailed insight into which materials, products, and suppliers contribute most to compliance costs.
Improved recyclability insight
Full RAM classification enabled Pret to identify improvement opportunities for low-performing packaging formats.
Better forecasting and budgeting
Regular fee projections helped Pret plan for rising PRN prices and the financial impact of pEPR reforms.
Data-driven sustainability decisions
Using the Insight Platform, Pret can prioritise packaging redesign and supplier engagement based on real performance data.
As RAM reporting expands and modulated fees come into force, Valpak will continue supporting Pret to:
This ongoing partnership will help Pret strengthen compliance, reduce environmental impact, and make fully informed packaging decisions.
Valpak has helped us stay compliant through every EPR submission, supporting our suppliers and providing the tools and insight we need to make better, more sustainable business decisions. Their end-to-end service, including supplier data collection, packaging analysis, EPR forecasting and RAM assessments, has given us a complete view of our obligations and opportunities to improve.