Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a game-changer for the waste and recycling industry and its been a long time coming. EPR will finally hold producers accountable for the costs of collecting, recycling, or disposing of the packaging they place on the market. The 1st of April this year marked the deadline for businesses to submit their packaging data for 2024, with fees due in October 2025.
EPR is designed to push packaging manufacturers and businesses towards using materials that are easier to recycle. Lower fees will be levied on environmentally friendly materials, while higher fees will target less sustainable options. The money generated through EPR, expected to be around £1.5 billion, will be funnelled to local councils to improve recycling services in their areas.
In the UK, over 10 million tonnes of packaging waste are produced every year, with almost two-thirds of it being recoverable. However, the current system has for too long only covered around 10% of the total cost of managing post-use packaging waste (source). With EPR, local authorities will receive more funding to cover these costs, which should lead to higher recycling rates and less waste going to landfill.
The introduction of EPR is a much-needed intervention in the move towards a more circular economy. For too long, many producers have used materials that are costly and difficult to recycle. This marks a pivotal moment in encouraging them to use packaging that is friendlier to the planet.
Real change won't happen without EPR. If used correctly, the funds generated will stimulate major investment into the recycling sector, bringing improvements for communities across the UK. Coupled with other reforms, such as Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme, we will see a step change in recycling across the country. Less waste will go to landfill, and our recycling rate will begin to climb, reversing the recent stagnation and backsliding.
Refuse and Recycling Collections - FCC Environment
