The next step

Further information on EPR

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Further information on the DRS

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What’s new with packaging rules?

Packaging policies aplenty

In 2018 the government outlined a series of new rules that it wanted to introduce to tackle plastic pollution and single-use packaging. The three most significant changes were:

• a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drink containers
• simpler recycling collection schemes
• an extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging regime.

Pause. All of these have been delayed to varying degrees and for various reasons. The pandemic and lobbying during the cost of living crisis, as well as the complexity of some of the new schemes mean these are all running years behind schedule.

Update

But in May 2024 the government produced updates on all three of the above key policies, which impact businesses both large and small.

DRS: don’t worry for now

Under DRS consumers are charged a deposit fee when they purchase a drink in a single-use container, which is then refunded when it’s returned to a collection point. A UK scheme will be starting in October 2027 (see The next step ).

Collections: no more confusion

The new “common sense approach” will ensure the same materials are collected from households and businesses (these are for England only). Councils will be allowed to collect plastic, metal, glass, paper and card in one bin in all circumstances. The deadline for businesses to implement the simpler recycling reforms is 2025. Tip. Be prepared for your waste service provider, especially if it is a private operator, to give you different bins, because it makes it easier to clean and separate the materials.

EPR: have you submitted data?

This is perhaps the most complicated policy of the three. At its heart, EPR ensures those placing packaging on the market would pay 100% of the costs of its collection, management and treatment (instead of the current 10% paid through the packaging recovery note system). The fees for different types of packaging have not yet been announced but reporting of data has begun. The first deadline for submissions is 31 May 2024. This is for large companies only. Failure to submit data could result in enforcement action.

SME stats. Small organisations are either those with an annual turnover of between £1m to £2m and responsible for supplying or importing more than 25 tonnes of empty packaging or packaged goods in the UK, or those with an annual turnover of over £1m and responsible for supplying or importing between 25 tonnes and 50 tonnes of the same. Tip. Small businesses within scope of the regulations need to report their packaging data annually. Small organisations should collect 2023 packaging data, but you do not have to report it; 2024 data must be submitted by April 2025 (see The next step ). Tip.  EPR also includes changes to labelling, with a new binary “recycle/do not recycle” approach coming into force in 2027. This will be mandatory.

For more information on the DRS and EPR, visit https://www.tips-and-advice.co.uk , Download Zone, year 22 issue 18.