EPR is an umbrella term that describes a global move towards more environmentally-friendly policies. The specifics of these changes vary from country to country, but generally, they mean the financial burden of dealing with end-of-life packaging waste shifts from consumers and local authorities onto producers.

The UK Government first introduced EPR in its 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy for England policy blueprint. After many delays, the new policies will be phased in throughout the UK starting in 2024. In simple terms, it will allow local authorities to recover waste disposal costs from the EPR Scheme Administrator, which will in turn recover those costs from producers.

From 2024, some companies will have to pay a waste management fee and buy packaging waste recycling notes (PRNs) or packaging waste export notes (PERN). They will also need to submit data about packaging and packaged goods they have supplied. This applies to any company that fulfils either of the below requirements; 

• Has an annual turnover of more than £2m
• Supplies at least 50 tonnes of packaging per year

Other companies will have to report on the volume of packaging placed onto the market annually but are exempt from the fee. This applies to companies who fulfil the following requirements; 

• Have an annual turnover of more than £1m, but less than £2m
• Supply at least 25 tonnes of packaging annually, but less than 50 tonnes

From 2025, modulated fees based on pack recyclability will come into force. These fees incentivise sustainable packaging design by making the fees for easily-recyclable, fibre-based packaging lower than non-recyclable alternatives. 

From 2026, all packaging except for plastic film and flexible packaging must include a ‘recycle’ or ‘do not recycle’ logo as part of the Recycle Now scheme. 

From 31 March 2026, compostable and biodegradable packaging must be labelled ‘do not recycle’. 

From 31 March 2027, all plastic films and flexible packaging must be labelled either ‘recycle’ or ‘do not recycle’.