UK packaging: EPR fees

November 28th, 2024

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has updated its overview of the indicative extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees for packaging to be introduced next year.

The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has updated its overview of the indicative extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees for packaging to be introduced next year.

The table sets out low, medium and high fees for each packaging category, based on three corresponding scenarios for local waste management costs.

The amounts are in pounds sterling (GBP) per tonne of packaging:

MaterialLowerIntermediateHigher
Aluminium320405605
Fibre-based composite355450565
Glass110175215
Paper and card135190250
Plastic360425520
Steel220265330
Wood145240340
Other180205240

The indicative fees are calculated by dividing local authority packaging waste management costs (for household packaging waste) by the total amount of household packaging placed on the market.

In the first overview published by Defra in August (see September’s COMPASS article here), the fees were based on the estimated weight of packaging placed on the market by obligated manufacturers from the PackFlow Refresh 2023 reports. The updated overview uses more recent data from the Report Packaging Data online portal.

The adjustment to the database has resulted in a higher estimate for some packaging materials (e.g. aluminium) and a lower estimate for others (e.g. paper and card).

Defra also highlights that these fees are provisional. The exact rates for 2025/26 will not be finalised until next year.

For the latest guidance and support, please contact ERP UK here.

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