Packaging Legislation Reform

Forthcoming changes to the Packaging Waste Regulations will see
costs increase significantly for producers of packaging in the UK. It is
hoped that the reform will encourage businesses to switch to more sustainable
packaging, to reduce both compliance costs and environmental impact.

Why is this happening?

The Government is reforming the UK Packaging Waste Regulations to help reduce environmental damage caused by the way we use and dispose of packaging, especially plastic packaging, and ensure that greater quantities of recyclable waste are reprocessed into valuable, high-quality secondary resources.

The changes aim to deliver greater resource circularity that will benefit the environment.

Be Prepared

What is changing?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reforms will represent the most significant change to the Producer Responsibility (Packaging Waste) Regulations since their implementation in 1997.

The changes will affect businesses that place packaged products onto the UK market, as they will have to pay 100% of the costs associated with dealing with packaging waste (known as full net cost recovery). Obligated businesses will fund both the collection and recycling of packaging waste; the former is currently funded by local authorities using money accrued from local taxpayers.

Under the current Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN) system producers only have to fund the recycling of collected packaging, making it more affordable whilst still achieving national recycling targets. However, it is estimated that these contributions cover only 7% of post-consumer waste management operations in the UK.

Under the reformed Regulations, producers’ compliance costs could increase between 6 – 20 times depending on the final design of the new system. Bills may further increase if businesses incur additional costs under the proposed Deposit Return Schemes and Plastic Packaging Tax.

What will these changes mean for producers?

Alongside increased compliance costs, these changes mean that producers' data collection and reporting requirements will become more complex. Producers will be required to provide transparent data, which should make it easier for businesses to identify problematic materials and effectively make change.

Speak to our experts

advise on how future legislation may impact your business
help you to create a checklist to put you on the path to being EPR ready
help you to understand cost implications based on your current packaging data submissions

Call us on 03450 682 572 and ask about our one-to-one clinics. These are free to all Valpak customers.

Contact us...

Get your data systems ready

Valpak’s Data Team has worked with over 500 companies to reduce the burden of environmental reporting. We can offer:

Consulting Sessions to review your data capture methods and ensure they meet future requirements
data collection and improved supplier engagement
transparency and advanced reporting tools
detailed cost modelling at product level

Book a demo by emailing data.insights@valpak.co.uk

We urge you to be prepared

Find out how the following may affect your business:

Extended Producer Responsibility

From 2023, the costs affected businesses will be required to shoulder under Extended Producer Responsibility will far exceed contributions made under the current Packaging Waste Recovery Note (PRN) system.

Read more...

Plastic Packaging Tax

From April 2022, plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content will be taxed at £200/tonne. It will affect producers, importers and consumers of plastic packaging.

Read more...

Deposit Return System

Government are proposing that consumers pay a deposit on each beverage container, which is returned when that container is recycled. Brand owners, fillers and importers of beverage containers will be required to fund this system, and retailers will have to host return points.

Read more...