UK government urged to revise packaging EPR fees for fibre‑based materials

The Alliance for Fibre‑Based Packaging, a coalition of retailers, manufacturers, food‑service groups and packagers, presented a position paper to Downing Street on 24 July urging the new minister responsible for the circular economy to rethink the United Kingdom’s extended producer responsibility (pEPR) fees for packaging. The alliance argues that the current fee methodology penalises fibre‑based materials despite their higher recyclability, creating market uncertainty that could drive a return to single‑use plastics and hinder investment, regional job creation and re‑industrialisation.

The paper recommends four actions: redesign the pEPR fee structure to incentivise sustainable materials; adopt an evidence‑based Recycling Assessment Methodology (RAM) classification; publish the underlying fee and RAM methodologies for transparency; and simplify household recycling to encourage sustainable choices. Alliance co‑chair Neil Whittall and its members contend that without reform the sector may see more plastic ending up in landfill, while a revised framework could boost domestic growth.

The call comes after Andy Burnham replaced Sir Keir Starmer as UK prime minister and a cabinet reshuffle placed Dame Angela Eagle as Secretary of State at Defra, with circular‑economy minister Mary Creagh no longer in post. Defra has signalled it will soon confirm the new ministerial responsibilities for resource management and circularity.