Following an announcement that was swiftly deleted yesterday, the UK government has confirmed the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme has been deferred for a year until October 2025.
Defra (The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) says the decision, taken jointly with the devolved administrations, follows “extensive engagement” with industry and will help “drive down inflation”.
Consistent recycling collections for households will come in after the implementation of the EPR scheme and more details on this will be set out in due course, Defra says.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow, commented: “We’re determined to transform the way we collect, recycle and reuse our waste materials so we eliminate all avoidable waste by 2050 in a way that works for households and consumers. That’s better for our environment.
We are also listening to industry and ensuring our work to tackle inflation and to drive up recycling go hand in hand.
“We are also listening to industry and ensuring our work to tackle inflation and to drive up recycling go hand in hand, to make sure our reforms will be a success.”
The Department says the new timeline is to help the UK government reduce inflation, which was 7.9% in June. Defra says the delay also gives businesses time to work with local government on the scheme.
The UK government says it remains committed to eliminating avoidable waste by 2050 and recycling 65% of municipal waste by 2035 and the EPR scheme will play a “central part” in achieving these targets. Defra says EPR will also build on other measures including the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) and upcoming bans on single-use plastic items.
Reactions
Reacting to the announcement, Lee Marshall, Policy and External Affairs Director, CIWM, said CIWM is disappointed that EPR for packaging fees have been deferred for a year after raising concerns directly with the Prime Minister last month.
“While this is not altogether surprising, we believe this delay will have a significant impact, resulting in the public continuing to bear the cost of packaging recycling and disposal, less investment in recycling infrastructure due to a loss of confidence in the legislative framework, and a significant slowing of the UK’s green economy.”
This delay throws further doubt on how and if those reforms will be taken forward.
In a statement given to Circular Online, The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO), said it is disappointed by the delay to EPR that the government has announced today.
“EPR is a vital component of the wider reforms of the waste and resources sector that were set out in the Resources and Waste Strategy, and this delay throws further doubt on how and if those reforms will be taken forward.
“This is particularly true for the Consistency agenda, on which there has been no government response to the second consultation that closed more than two years ago. Local authorities face increasing financial pressures from the disjointed approach that has been taken to policy delivery from different government departments and need to see this approach changed.”
The NAWDO also urges the government to not delay the release of the Consistency consultation response despite this delay to EPR, so that local authorities can plan for future service changes before the expiring of contracts and fleets forces short term decisions to be made.
Whilst we remain absolutely committed to a circular economy and support the introduction of EPR, we welcome today’s announcement.
Simon Roberts, CEO of Sainsbury’s, said: “Whilst we remain absolutely committed to a circular economy and support the introduction of EPR, we welcome today’s announcement.
“This will provide the necessary time to work across our industry and with government in order to get EPR right first time. This decision is also an important step in minimising further pressure on food inflation and we will continue to focus on delivering the best value to customers in the coming months.”
Responding to Defra’s announcement, Steve Gough, CEO of UK compliance scheme Reconomy brand Valpak, said: “In the current economic climate, stakeholders face tough choices. With consumers under significant pressure from the cost-of-living crisis, both government and business are struggling to balance budgets against a commitment to progress with environmental improvements.
“Defra today said that EPR charges would be delayed until 2025, with charges under the current PRN regulations to carry on into 2024. This offers a great opportunity to effectively have a dry run of the EPR data collection process, so that targets for 2025 EPR can be set in the most appropriate manner.”
