Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has come into effect today (1 Oct), requiring large producers to begin paying waste disposal fees based on previously reported packaging data.
John Redmayne, managing director of ERP UK, explained: “From 1 October 2025, companies will start receiving their first invoices under the new Extended Producer Responsibility system. It’s a watershed moment, fundamentally changing how the UK funds packaging waste management.”
He added that the policy will transfer approximately £1.5 billion of costs per year from local authorities to packaging producers.
Speaking positively of the policy, Redmayne noted: “Here’s what excites me: for the first time, we have genuine alignment between financial incentives and environmental good practice.”
Not all shared Redmayne’s optimism, however. Glass producers – who are set to be especially impacted due to EPR’s focus on packaging weight – have been particularly outspoken.
Sean Murphy, managing director at glass company Enirc, released a statement criticising the policy.
Murphy said: “The new Glass Bottle Tax is an economic and environmental own goal, hitting UK firms producing packaging that is far better for the environment than plastic.
“This tax will hit everyone – in the supermarkets, pubs, and glass factories that create thousands of jobs. It is a bitter blow for businesses such as ours which are investing heavily in green technology.”
He urged the government to pause the policy, which he argued operates on an “arbitrary measurement”.
His words echoed those of Nick Kirk, technical director at British Glass, who has also voiced concerns.
Speaking to Drinks Retailing prior to EPR coming into effect, Kirk said the policy would encourage producers to switch from glass to cheaper but less environmentally friendly materials.
Kirk suggested that EPR should therefore move away from its emphasis on weight and instead focus on volume.
“Brands don’t buy a tonne of packaging. They buy a million bottles, or a million cartons. They always buy in quantity, so EPR should be calculated on that basis,” he explained.
