News From DEFRA On pEPR Developments

8th January 2025

Over the holiday period, DEFRA made two significant announcements regarding Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), which will have a substantial impact on the plastics packaging industry. Despite being released just a couple of days before Christmas, the revised indicative fees and the publication of the Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) have been eagerly awaited by packaging manufacturers and retailers alike.

The new indicative fees have been set at £485 per tonne, making plastic one of the most expensive materials. However, this is mitigated by the fact that plastic packaging is relatively lightweight compared to other materials. Previous indicative fees were set within a broad range (£360 to £520), so the increased accuracy is much appreciated. The final fees are not expected to be released until April at the earliest, meaning there is still time for the figures to vary as more accurate data is collected.

You can find out more here: Recyclability assessment methodology: how to assess your packaging waste - GOV.UK.

The final version of the RAM has also been released, detailing the criteria by which packaging will be assessed for recyclability when eco-modulation of fees is introduced in 2026. Packaging will be classified as Green (fully recyclable), Amber (difficult to recycle), or Red (not recyclable), with fees adjusted accordingly—Red items will incur higher costs than Green. The release of the assessment methodology now is crucial for manufacturers, as they may need to make changes to packaging specifications to avoid higher fees.

You can find out more here: EPR for packaging: updated illustrative base fees (December 2024) - GOV.UK.

Author: Brian Lodge - BPF Director of Packaging