Government pushes forward on pEPR

4 February 2025

On 21 January 2025, the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the launch of PackUK, the administrator for the extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme.

Known as PecynUK in Wales, PackUK will transfer the cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers to the businesses responsible, following the ‘polluter pays’ principle.

PackUK will oversee key elements of the scheme, including setting fees, collecting payments from obligated producers starting in October 2025, and distributing over £1 billion annually to local authorities to improve recycling and collection services. The scheme is a key step towards modernising the UK’s approach to packaging waste, encouraging businesses to reduce unnecessary packaging and adopt more recyclable materials.

In addition to managing payments, PackUK will lead public awareness campaigns to promote responsible waste disposal. Dr. Margaret Bates, Head of the UK pEPR Scheme Administrator, called the launch a significant step forward in tackling packaging waste and supporting sustainability.

Consultation

The launch of PackUK coincides with the Environment Agency (EA)’s consultation on civil sanctions to enforce compliance with the Environment Act 2021, which includes pEPR. The consultation will explore the EA’s powers under amendments to its Enforcement and Sanctions Policy (ESP). These new powers will allow the EA to regulate several areas, including pEPR, the deposit return scheme, digital waste tracking, hazardous waste and international waste shipments.

Survey

The government’s packaging measures are also aligning with public sentiment. A recent survey by GoUnpackaged reveals that around two-thirds (65%) of the UK public want supermarkets to prioritise reuse and refill systems over single-use plastics. The sentiment is particularly strong among younger consumers, with 77% of 18 to 24-year-olds expressing interest in incorporating these systems into their weekly shopping. Half of all respondents prefer supermarkets with reuse and refill options.

Major supermarket chains have already started trialing reuse and refill points, but a UK-wide system has not yet been established.

If you need packaging support, please contact ERP UK here.