British Glass warns that the new Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme could lead to higher consumer costs, increased imports, job losses, and a shift away from recyclable glass packaging in favour of less sustainable alternatives.
The UK Government has passed new packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) regulations, shifting the cost of waste collection and sorting from local authorities to producers. Under the new scheme, heavier containers such as glass will incur higher levies. According to estimates, glass beverage packaging fees could be significantly higher than those for other materials, potentially increasing the cost of glass-packaged products for consumers.
British Glass, the trade association representing the UK glass industry, has expressed concern over the potential impact of the new regulations.
We believe that the current structure of the scheme may disproportionately impact the competitiveness of glass as a packaging material
The organisation highlights that the increased fees could make glass less competitive compared to other materials, which may result in reduced use of glass packaging, job losses, and higher consumer prices. The UK glass industry is a significant employer, with 120,000 jobs in its supply chain.
Dave Dalton, Chief Executive of British Glass, stated, “British Glass supports the principle of Extended Producer Responsibility and the need to reform packaging waste collection to support a circular economy. However, we believe that the current structure of the scheme may disproportionately impact the competitiveness of glass as a packaging material.”
Dalton added that the policy might unintentionally incentivise the use of materials such as plastic, which are less circular than glass, and called for further discussions with policymakers to address these concerns. British Glass has been engaging with MPs and Government ministers to propose revisions to the pEPR framework that align with environmental goals and market realities.
Higher costs for consumers
The regulations, set to take effect in April 2025, include levies based on the weight of packaging materials. According to British Glass, this could lead to higher costs for consumers, with an estimated 10p increase per glass beer bottle after accounting for fees, supply chain margins, and VAT. In comparison, products packaged in materials like metal or plastic may experience minimal cost increases.
Technical Director Dr Nick Kirk noted, “While pEPR aims to encourage the use of recyclable packaging, the proposed weight-based fee structure may unintentionally discourage the use of glass, which is 100% and infinitely recyclable.”
The organisation also raised concerns about increased imports of glass packaging, which may have higher carbon footprints than UK-produced glass. British Glass emphasises the importance of balancing environmental goals with the competitiveness of the domestic manufacturing sector.
The Government has reiterated its commitment to tackling packaging waste and contributing to international efforts, such as the global plastic pollution treaty negotiations. However, industry representatives continue to urge policymakers to reassess the scheme to ensure it supports both environmental objectives and the sustainability of the UK glass sector.