Changes to Packaging Waste Regulations are encouraging companies like yours to switch to more sustainable packaging, reducing environmental impact.
This aligns with the Polluter Pay Principle and form part of the government’s 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy.
What are the regulations coming down the line?
Reforms include Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and consistency in household and business recycling (referred to as Consistency).
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging waste
Reforms to ensure producers take full responsibility for managing their packaging waste and end-of-life cycle products. This includes full cost of collecting household waste.
EPR aims to reduce landfill, incineration waste and increase in municipal recycling, as well as a reduction in emissions from the waste sector.
A few dates to be aware of:
- EPR will be implemented in phases from 2024, rather than 2023.
- From 1 January 2023, businesses affected by the new extended producer responsibility will need to collect the correct packaging data.
- This will be additional data concerning packaging type and recyclability, collected and reported every 6 months. More information here.
- Webinar presentations on this can be found here 1 of 2 and 2 of 2.
- Modulated fees based on recyclability will be introduced from 2025.
From 1 April 2026, all packaging will need to display a binary recyclability label declaring either ‘recycle’ or ‘do not recycle’.
Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers
Also known as a deposit refund system, applies a surcharge to a product when it is purchased. A refund is given to the consumer if product (reusable drinks container) is returned for recycling.
This aims to help raise rates of recycling single-use drinks in the UK to excess of 90% and aims to drive consumer change in behaviour to reduce littering.
A few dates to be aware of:
- Scotland will be the first UK Deposit Return Scheme to go live 16 August 2023.
- Anticipated DRS scheme within the UK to start late 2024. Currently awaiting feedback from recent government consultation for England, Wales and NI.
Exclusive My CBI member-only content 
