Green light for UK Producer Responsibility Organisation
Key ministers have committed to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) to abet the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme.
In an open letter to the interim steering group of the EPR Scheme Administrator, the relevant Ministers for the four UK nations back the formation of a PRO.
They have established a 'codesign process to take this forward', which involves members of the Food and Drink Federation convened PRO Steering Group, local authorities and other representatives from the value chain.
They intend to act on the recommendations of the group, 'to maximise value chain involvement whilst providing robust governance'.
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024 have also now been presented to parliament.
Yet, Wwith the EPR due to materialise in January 2025, more than 80 businesses in the food and drinks sector have expressed their concerns over the scheme in a letter to Ministers.
They are asking the government to delay enforcement until fees are known, as these are currently planned to be clarified in summer 2025 - six months after the scheme begins.
Producers will also pay twice for hospitality and business waste pagakging, they claim, which is currently paid for through backhaul and direct contracts with waste collectors, and the PRN, but will also incur additional EPR fees.
The Wine and Spirit Trade Association warns other aspects are also not ready, including the scheme administrator to operate EPR modulated fees due in year two, calculations for fees, mandatory labelling, amendments to the current legislation, or accounting guidance. It is also unclear if glass is included in EPR or Deposit Return Scheme in Wales, says the trade body.
'Wine and spirit businesses are working towards using less packaging and making it more recyclable, but the scheme currently set out is unfair and unfit for purpose. A delay would mean industry and Defra could work together to find a fairer, clearer and more sustainable resolution,' says Miles Beale, Chief Executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
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