As sustainability takes centre stage, businesses across the UK are gearing up for a significant shift in how packaging waste is managed. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations 2024 introduce a comprehensive framework to ensure that producers take full accountability for the environmental impact of the packaging they place on the market.
In this blog, we’ll break down the newest updates in EPR, helping you understand what’s changing and how you can prepare for the future.
What is packaging EPR?
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Regulations 2024, require businesses that are obligated to report data on the packaging they handle and supply to the UK market. EPR requires producers to pay the full net costs of collecting, sorting, recycling, and disposal of household packaging.
From 2025, the main pEPR regulations are due to be in full force, replacing the 2007 Producer Responsibility Packaging Waste Regulations. Obligated producers will have a PRN (Packaging Recovery Note) obligation for both household and non-household packaging placed on the UK market, and an EPR disposal fee obligation for household packaging placed on the UK market.
Large organisations
To be obligated under the regulations as a large organisation, businesses must meet or exceed two thresholds:
- A turnover of more than £2 million, and
- Responsible for over 50 tonnes of packaging in a calendar year, in relation to the EPR packaging activities.
If you meet the above thresholds, your business may also be obligated by the old 2007 packaging waste regulations for 2024. Get in touch to determine your obligations!
Small organisations
To be obligated under the regulations as a small organisation, businesses must meet either of the following thresholds:
- A turnover between £1-2 million, and responsible for over 25 tonnes of packaging in a calendar year, in relation to the EPR activities, or
- A turnover above £2 million, and responsible for 25-50 tonnes of packaging in a calendar year, in relation to the EPR activities.
Producers that meet or exceed this lower threshold are only obligated to report their packaging data from 2025.
| Material | Estimated cost in £ per Tonne of LA Waste Management Fee Obligation (20th December 2024 Release) |
| Paper or board | £215 |
| Glass | £240 |
| Aluminium | £435 |
| Steel | £305 |
| Plastic | £485 |
| Wood | £320 |
| Fibre-based composite | £455 |
| Other | £280 |
Final LA Waste Management Fees
Actual LA Waste Management Fees for 2025 will be calculated by the Scheme Administrator (SA) following the regulator’s P2 reporting deadline (1st April 2025). The SA will use the full-year reported ‘household’ packaging data to calculate the final fees which they expect to release in July 2025. The first LA Waste Management invoices will be issued by the SA directly to obligated producers around October 2025.
If your brand is looking to invest in packaging, we will guide you through the entire print process. Providing recommendations to improve efficiency, reduce costs and add untold value to the end product.
Contact us at +44 (0) 161 440 7302 or follow this link to complete our contact form.
