17 Jan. 2025: Defra has announced that PackUK – the scheme administrator for Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility – will formally launch on 21 January 2025. PackUK will implement the UK’s new Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) programme.
It is designed to shift the cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers and local authorities to those businesses who use and supply the packaging, applying the ‘polluter pays’ principle.
This is expected to boost investment into local recycling services: Defra said alongside Simpler Recycling in England and the Deposit Return Scheme for drinks containers, the packaging reforms will stimulate ‘an estimated £10bn investment’ in recycling services across the UK over the next 10 years, and support up to 21,000 new jobs.
PackUK will set pEPR’s fees, raise these fees from obligated producers and make packaging waste disposal payments to local authorities in return for the delivery of efficient and effective collection and recycling services.
PackUK is a Defra hosted function, delivering on behalf of the four UK nations. It will be referred to as PecynUK in Wales. Its design and set up has been overseen by an industry-led steering group, chaired by Sebastian Munden (former chief executive of Unilever UK and Ireland).
PackUK will continue work with packaging producers to explore ways to enhance the role of businesses across pEPR’s delivery, including the appointment of a new Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO).
Defra said: “We have established a codesign process to take this PRO forward, involving members of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) convened PRO Steering Group as well as local authorities and other representatives from across the value chain. We will act on the recommendations of this group, to maximise value chain involvement whilst providing robust governance for PackUK.”
To mark its launch, PackUK will be at the Packaging Innovations Birmingham on 12 to 13 February 2025.
Seb Munden (former CEO of Unilever) will be hosting the initial launch session on the central circular economy stage with guest speakers Emma Bourne, David McPhee, Rhodri Asby and Shane Doris representing their respective nations.
Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh will then chair a panel, again on the central circular economy stage, hosting key value chain voices as they discuss common aspirations for pEPR and how collaboration between PackUK and its stakeholders is key to delivering a fair and efficient scheme.
By Waqas Qureshi, https://www.packagingnews.co.uk