UK Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme
Material consumption in Scotland is responsible for over two thirds (74%) of Scotland’s carbon footprint. More than 10 million tonnes of packaging waste is produced in the UK every year. Currently a
significant amount of packaging waste ends up in landfill, two thirds of which could instead be recovered. This has to stop. Introducing a new UK packaging extended producer responsibility scheme is an important step in tackling this issue and moving towards a circular economy.
The current EPR system for packaging only results in a small proportion of costs being recovered. This means local authorities bear most of the costs for collecting household waste and picking up littered packaging. Private businesses, such as retailers and hospitality premises, are currently responsible for the cost of waste collections through waste contractors. The new scheme would mean that producers pay for the full cost of dealing with packaging at the end of its life both from households and businesses. This will in turn incentivise better packaging design to minimise costs, which will help to improve the recyclability and reuse of packaging, resulting in less waste.
A second stage consultation on these proposed changes is now live.
Have your say at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/extended-producer-responsibility/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging/