Everything You Need to Know to Stay Sustainable, and Ahead of the Curve

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a government regulation that requires businesses to take full responsibility for the environmental impact of their packaging—from the moment it's produced to its disposal by the end user.
If your business places packaged goods into the UK market (including importing, manufacturing, or selling online), you're likely subject to these rules.
This means you may be legally required to:

• Collect detailed data on packaging materials and volumes
• Submit packaging reports to regulatory bodies
• Pay disposal or recycling fees (based on business size)

Why? The goal is to shift the cost of waste disposal away from taxpayers and onto the producers—encouraging smarter packaging design and funding better recycling infrastructure.

Have you registered yet? If not, register now.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) isn’t just another regulation — it’s a smart, forward-thinking policy that creates real impact across the packaging lifecycle.

Puts Responsibility in the Right Hands

Until now, packaging waste has mostly been managed by local councils — and funded by public taxes.
EPR flips that model: the businesses that create packaging, now contribute to managing its waste.

• This means better packaging design
• Smarter, eco-conscious decisions from the source
• And less waste passed on to consumers and the planet

Powers the Circular Economy

Instead of a "take, make, throw away" system, EPR encourages a circular economy where packaging gets:

• Reused
• Recycled
• Turned into new resources

Your fees help fund the infrastructure that makes this possible — from curbside collection to advanced recycling facilities.

Delivers Real Environmental Gains

Packaging makes up a huge portion of landfill and marine pollution. With EPR in place:

• Less waste goes to landfill

• More materials are reused

• CO2 emissions go down

• Our ecosystems get cleaner

Switching to lighter, recyclable packaging isn’t just good for your EPR bill — it’s good for the planet.

Smart for Business, Not Just the Environment

EPR doesn’t have to be a cost burden. In fact, it rewards brands that innovate and plan ahead.

• Reduce your packaging weight - pay less
• Use recyclable materials - lower EPR fees
• Be transparent - build trust with customers
• Stay compliant - avoid fines and marketplace bans

Modern customers expect brands to be responsible. With EPR compliance, you demonstrate leadership, care, and credibility.

Important Notes:

• If you import goods in packaging, you are considered the "producer" under EPR.

• Selling unbranded packaging or online marketplaces may still trigger obligations.

• Deadlines for registration and reporting vary—make sure you're informed.

In the context of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), how packaging waste is disposed of plays an important role in determining the fees and data reporting requirements. The first major category is household waste, which includes packaging that typically ends up in house bins. This might be waste disposed of through household recycling bins, or local authority recycling centres. Items like food packaging, delivery boxes, carrier bags, and takeaway containers often fall under this category. Because this waste is handled by local authorities and requires public infrastructure to manage, it attracts higher EPR fees.

Another category is non-household or commercial waste. This includes packaging used by businesses rather than individual consumers. Packaging used in business-to-business (B2B) contexts—for example, pallet wrap, product boxes sent to retailers, or other items used —is classified as non-household waste. Since this type of waste is generally managed by the businesses themselves through private collection and recycling services, the associated EPR fees are typically lower.

A third and often overlooked category is street bin waste. Street bin disposal is tracked separately under EPR due to the complexity and cost involved in managing it. Items like coffee cups or wrappers thrown into public bins fall into this category. Because street bin waste is often mixed or contaminated, it is more expensive to process and recycle, and therefore it carries a heavier burden under EPR regulations.

Under EPR rules, your role in the packaging supply chain determines your responsibilities. A packer/filler is a business that physically places products into packaging for sale or distribution. This could include manufacturers, fulfilment centres, or small businesses that wrap or box their goods before shipping them. For example, a bakery that wraps pastries and puts them in a paper bag, or a skincare brand that bottles and labels its own products, would both be considered packer/fillers. These businesses are directly responsible for reporting the packaging they place on the UK market and, if they meet the required thresholds, may also be liable for EPR fees.

On the other hand, a reseller is a business that sells products already packaged by another party. If you buy goods that come pre-packaged and sell them without altering the packaging, you are generally not considered the packaging producer. However, this can change if you add your own branding or label to the product. In this case, you may be reclassified as the brand owner and thus become responsible for the packaging under EPR.

Understanding these distinctions is critical because EPR responsibilities can shift depending on whether you’re packaging the product, importing it, or simply selling it. Knowing your role helps ensure compliance and allows you to take proactive steps toward more sustainable packaging practices.

If you’re unsure about how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) affects your business or want to learn more, the following official and publicly trusted sources provide accurate, up-to-date guidance:

• GOV.UK – EPR for Packaging: Who is Affected and What to Do: This is the UK Government’s official guidance. It outlines who needs to comply, registration steps, reporting deadlines, and fee structures.

• Environment Agency – Packaging Producer Responsibilities: Learn about the legal duties for producers placing packaging on the UK market, including upcoming changes and environmental reporting obligations.

• National Waste and Recycling Association: Businesses can use this portal to submit EPR-related data, access guidance documents, and track compliance.

• OECD – Extended Producer Responsibility Overview: For a global perspective, the OECD provides a well-researched breakdown of how EPR schemes work internationally and why they matter.

• Valpak – EPR Explained: One of the UK's largest compliance schemes explaining how EPR works and how they can help you stay compliant.

• Reconomy – EPR Compliance for Businesses: A sustainability solutions company that helps brands understand and fulfil their EPR duties.