PackUK – the scheme administrator for Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility – officially launched 21 January 2025. This marks a significant milestone in the implementation of the UK’s new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) programme.
As stated by Defra, the EPR Statutory Instrument came into effect on 1 January, and the establishment of PackUK as the scheme administrator is a pivotal component of this initiative.
PackUK aims to transfer the financial responsibility for managing household packaging waste from taxpayers and local authorities to businesses that utilize and supply packaging. This initiative follows the ‘polluter pays’ principle. Consequently, Defra anticipates that it will enhance investments in local recycling services. Together with Simpler Recycling in England and the Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, these packaging reforms are projected to stimulate an impressive £10 billion investment in recycling services across the UK over the next decade. Furthermore, in England alone, this effort is expected to support up to 21,000 new jobs.
In its role, PackUK will determine the fees for pEPR, collect these fees from obligated producers, and facilitate packaging waste disposal payments to local authorities. These payments are intended to ensure efficient and effective collection and recycling services. Additionally, PackUK is responsible for public outreach and information campaigns aimed at encouraging citizens to dispose of packaging waste properly and to refrain from littering.
PackUK operates as a Defra-hosted function, promoting collaboration across the four UK nations. In Wales, it will be referred to as PecynUK. The setup and design of PackUK have been significantly supported by an industry-led steering group, chaired by Sebastian Munden, the former CEO of Unilever UK and Ireland.
Looking ahead, PackUK will engage with packaging producers to explore opportunities for enhancing business participation in the pEPR framework, which includes appointing a new producer responsibility organization (PRO).
A codesign process will guide the PRO’s development, involving members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) convened PRO Steering Group, alongside local authorities and various representatives from the value chain. We will implement the recommendations from this group to optimize value chain engagement while ensuring robust governance for PackUK.
In celebration of its launch, PackUK will participate in the Packaging Innovations Birmingham event on 12 to 13 February 2025. This event promises a lineup of expert speakers and industry leaders sharing valuable knowledge, breakout sessions, and direct engagement opportunities with the PackUK team.
Seb Munden, the former CEO of Unilever, will host the initial launch session on the central circular economy stage, featuring guest speakers Emma Bourne, David McPhee, Rhodri Asby, and Shane Doris, who represent their respective nations.
Following this, Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh, will moderate a panel discussion on the central circular economy stage, where key voices from the value chain will deliberate over shared objectives for pEPR. They will emphasize that collaboration between PackUK and its stakeholders is essential for delivering a fair and efficient scheme.
All businesses required to report data under the packaging EPR data reporting regulations must submit their January to June 2024 data by Tuesday, 1 October 2024. Failure to report may result in enforcement action for obligated packaging producers.
Large producers obligated to report data under packaging EPR regulations must split their reporting into two batches: first, submit January to June data by 1 October; followed by July to December data by the subsequent 1 April.
Small producers are also obligated to report under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. They should submit their data in one annual submission: January to December by 1 April.
