The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has introduced the initial indicative base fees for the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, set to be implemented in 2025. The scheme aims to hold producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of packaging, emphasizing the importance of design for recyclability and disposal.
Obligated packaging producers will be subject to these base fees, which are in addition to existing environmental regulation charges across the UK and costs associated with meeting packaging recycling targets. The fees for 2025/26 differ by material, with aluminium packaging fees ranging from £245 to £655 per tonne, fibre-based composites from £410 to £655 per tonne, paper or board from £185 to £350 per tonne, plastic from £355 to £610 per tonne, and steel from £170 to £420 per tonne. Wood and other materials are priced between £225 and £330 per tonne, while glass, calculated differently, ranges from £130 to £330 per tonne.
Defra has highlighted that these fees are preliminary and subject to adjustments based on further data. The agency advises producers not to rely on these figures for detailed financial planning due to potential changes. Updated fees will be announced following data verification, with reporting deadlines set for April 1 annually, finalizing the exact rates for the 2025/26 EPR year post-April 2025.
Industry responses have been mixed, with many welcoming the clarity these fees provide, while concerns have been raised about the impact on the glass sector due to the weight-based fee structure. Valpak, the Environmental Services Association, British Glass, and WRAP have all commented on the implications of the EPR scheme, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that supports sustainable practices without disadvantaging specific materials.
Source: edie.net