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Latest news from Packaging Innovations & Empack
UK Packaging PRO appointed to lead the UK’s packaging recycling scheme
A Unified Industry Voice Behind the Bid
The successful bid was jointly led by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), representing a powerful cross‑industry coalition. More than 100 organisations, spanning retailers, FMCG manufacturers, packaging producers, waste operators, and NGOs, formally supported the proposal – illustrating unprecedented alignment behind a single industry‑led body.
As a new not‑for‑profit organisation created by packaging producers, UK Packaging PRO represents nearly half of all UK EPR fees – giving it the scale, expertise and industry buy‑in required to help reshape the UK’s packaging system for the long term.
A Transformational Turning Point for Packaging Reform
The implementation of EPR represents a fundamental shift in UK policy, transferring responsibility for packaging design, usage and end‑of‑life management directly to those who place packaging on the market. This approach is intended to drive:
- higher‑quality packaging design
- more consistent local authority collections
- improved recycling outcomes
- stronger incentives for circularity
UK Packaging PRO will ensure industry expertise sits at the heart of decision‑making, helping to build a system that balances environmental ambition with real‑world operational and financial realities.
Core Priorities for UK Packaging PRO
Working closely with PackUK, government bodies, councils, recyclers and producers, UK Packaging PRO will focus on four critical pillars:
1. Improving Recycling Rates
By supporting innovation and practical improvements across material design, sorting, collection and reprocessing, PRO‑led interventions aim to significantly increase the quantity and quality of recyclable materials returned to the system.
2. Ensuring Fees Reflect Environmental Impact
A central function of the PRO will be overseeing how EPR fees are structured – developing fair, data‑driven fee modulation that rewards better design and higher recyclability, while incentivising reductions in unnecessary packaging.
3. Supporting Local Authorities
Providing councils with the insights, tools and data needed to run better collection systems is essential. UK Packaging PRO will help build consistency across the UK’s currently fragmented local recycling landscape.
4. Driving Collaboration Across the Value Chain
The organisation aims to provide a central home for cross‑sector problem‑solving – leveraging shared data, industry knowledge, and coordinated investment to accelerate systemic improvement.
Leadership and Governance
The PRO will formally begin its role on 1 April 2026, with responsibilities introduced in phases throughout the year.
- Karen Graley, architect of the winning bid and a respected leader in packaging innovation (formerly of Waitrose, M&S and OPRL), will serve as Head of UK Packaging PRO.
- Sebastian Munden CBE, former CEO of Unilever UK & Ireland and a longstanding advocate for circular systems, has been appointed Chair of the Board.
Both leaders emphasised a commitment to strong governance, transparency, data‑driven decision‑making, and genuine partnership between industry and government.
Industry and Stakeholder Responses
Senior figures across the value chain have welcomed the appointment:
- Karen Graley highlighted the importance of giving producers “a genuine seat at the table” and expressed confidence in the PRO’s readiness to collaborate across the system.
- Sebastian Munden CBE described the moment as “only the very beginning” of industry‑led EPR in the UK, stressing that a cost‑conscious, innovation‑minded approach will unlock environmental and economic benefits.
- Karen Betts OBE, Chief Executive of the FDF, called EPR a “once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity” to transform UK packaging and recycling.
- PackUK CEO Jeremy Blake praised UK Packaging PRO as the strongest candidate to balance producer, recycler and local authority needs.
- Stakeholders from major brands – including Unilever and PepsiCo – also expressed strong support, citing the PRO’s potential to drive circularity, improve infrastructure, and elevate consumer recycling outcomes.
What Happens Next
UK Packaging PRO will now enter a mobilisation phase – growing its operational capability, engaging with stakeholders and preparing for the first round of regulatory responsibilities beginning later in 2026. The organisation will operate fully within UK packaging EPR regulations and will continue to refine its systems as new guidance, data and industry insights emerge.
With industry, government, and local authorities aligned more closely than ever, the appointment of UK Packaging PRO represents a crucial step toward a modern, consistent, efficient and circular UK packaging system.
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