News
Navigating Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging in 2025
02 Sep 2025
What Is EPR and Why Does It Matter?
From 2025, the UK government is implementing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. This means that if your business supplies packaging to the UK market, you may now be financially responsible for the full lifecycle of that packaging—from production to disposal.
Are You Affected?
You are likely affected if your business:
- Has a turnover of £2 million or more, and
- Handles 50 tonnes or more of packaging annually.
The responsibility typically falls on the brand owner or importer. Distributors and retailers may be exempt if the packaging is already covered by another obligated party
What You Need to Do
1. Register and Report
You must register with the Environment Agency through the Report Packaging Data (RPD) service and submit packaging data twice a year. This includes:
• The type of packaging (e.g., plastic, paper, glass)
• Whether it’s household or non-household
• The weight of packaging placed on the market
2. Pay Waste Management Fees
From October 2025, you’ll be charged for the cost of collecting and processing household packaging waste. These fees are based on:
• The type of packaging (e.g., plastic, paper, glass)
• Whether it’s household or non-household
• The weight of packaging placed on the market
Fund Recycling
Despite the regulatory overhaul, PRNs (Packaging Recovery Notes) remain a core compliance mechanism. These are certificates issued by accredited reprocessors and exporters to prove that a certain amount of packaging waste has been recycled.
- PRNs are material-specific and obligations must be met separately for each packaging material (e.g., paper, plastic, glass).
- Market-driven pricing: PRN prices fluctuate based on supply and demand, which can impact budgeting and forecasting.
- Businesses must acquire PRNs equivalent to their recycling obligation weight and submit them via the RPD portal 1.
Key Points:
PRNs are material-specific (e.g., plastic, glass, paper).
Prices fluctuate based on market demand.
You must submit PRNs as evidence of compliance.
We recommend budgeting for PRNs in advance and monitoring market trends to avoid unexpected costs.
Final Thoughts
EPR is a major shift in how packaging waste is managed in the UK. While it introduces new costs and responsibilities, it also encourages more sustainable business practices. With the right planning and support, your business can stay compliant and even find efficiencies.
While WR Partners does not provide EPR compliance services directly, we are here to support you by raising awareness of these changes and can connect you with trusted specialists if needed.
