The UK Government has released the illustrative base fees for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) on 15 August – ahead of the scheme’s planned implementation in 2025.
Joanna Stephenson, managing director at PHD Marketing, said the newly released illustrative based fees give the industry a glimpse into what the financial obligations might look like.
She added, ‘The range of fees – from £130 to £655 per tonne – reflects the intricate nature of our diverse sector. It also further illustrates why the EPR boundaries must be thoughtfully considered. Let’s be clear: these figures are not set in stone. They’re a starting point for dialogue, not a finish line. Our industry has always been characterised by its resilience, creativity, and adaptability. Now, more than ever, we need to harness these qualities. Consider the implications for different materials. Paper and board, the backbone of so much of our industry, faces fees between £185 and £350 per tonne. This variation alone demonstrates the need for careful scrutiny and industry-wide input. For plastic, another crucial material, the range of £355 to £610 per tonne could reshape entire business models, so we mustn’t underestimate the impact this will have.’
Ms Stephenson stated that a concern of a heavy focus on recycling and recyclability means that EPR might inadvertently neglect the upper tiers of the waste hierarchy – reduction and reuse. The industry must ensure that legislation doesn’t just address end-of-life concerns but encourages holistic, lifecycle-based packaging design and material selection, she continued.
With EPR expect to pull in more than a billion pounds through 2025, added Ms Stephenson, it’s crucial that the funds drive real and meaningful improvements in recycling infrastructure and foster a circular economy. It’s time for importers, manufacturers, converters and brand owners to come together and engage proactively with policymakers, share knowledge that only we have, and collectively shape the future of our industry, she expressed.
Ms Stephenson concluded, ‘We’re at the EPR starting point, not the finish line. As the change looms ever closer, packaging businesses can’t afford to stand aside or ‘wait and see’. We see a lot of businesses worrying about attracting high costs, but now’s the time to innovate to align with lower fee brackets and drive industry-wide performance improvement. Our industry is highly capable and I’m confident that together, we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for accelerated growth and innovation.’
