A five-year roadmap is coming for UK packaging EPR

PackUK prepares to reveal its next five years

The UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility system is set for a longer-term roadmap, with PackUK preparing to publish a five-year strategy outlining how the scheme will develop.

Esther Carter, chief strategy officer at PackUK, revealed the plans during London Packaging Week, as the packaging industry continues to navigate the introduction of the new EPR system.

The strategy is expected to provide greater visibility around how PackUK plans to deliver the scheme over the coming years, giving businesses more information as they make longer-term packaging and investment decisions.

A changing EPR landscape

PackUK is already working through the second operational year of the UK’s packaging EPR scheme. Its current plan includes setting and collecting producer fees, applying the recyclability assessment methodology, delivering payments to local authorities and strengthening governance across the four nations.

The organisation is also continuing to develop its longer-term strategic direction, alongside work to improve data quality, fee-setting and the delivery of the EPR service.

One area of focus is the recyclability assessment methodology, which is being used to assess packaging according to its compatibility with the UK recycling system.

What comes next?

The upcoming five-year strategy will provide a clearer picture of PackUK’s direction beyond its current annual operational planning.

For packaging producers, the longer-term view could be particularly important as businesses assess packaging choices, recyclability, investment and future compliance requirements.

With the EPR system continuing to develop, the strategy will offer the industry a clearer indication of how PackUK intends to deliver its objectives over the years ahead.