Packaging waste drives rise in residual waste across England

Recent government data indicates a year-on-year increase in residual waste in England, with commercial and industrial packaging identified as a significant contributor.

This trend emerges amidst the UK’s implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which mandates that producers bear the full cost of collecting, sorting, and recycling their packaging materials. The EPR aims to incentivise the reduction of packaging waste and promote sustainable practices.

However, local authorities have expressed concerns that the current EPR fees may not sufficiently cover the additional costs incurred when recyclable waste is improperly sorted by households. This mismanagement contributes to the growing volume of residual waste, undermining recycling efforts.

As the UK continues to refine its waste management policies, addressing the challenges posed by packaging waste remains critical to achieving environmental sustainability goals.

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