Page 8 - APPD - Something's_Brewing_Jan_Feb23

www.beveragestandardsassociation.co.uk
Vol.28 | January/February. 2023

Extended Producer

Responsibility (EPR)

Our only gripe is that it doesn’t apply to all businesses This is all very complicated and so we urge you to
irrespective of size. It it did apply to all then the public register with Defra for information here and to
would be given the convenience of being able to drop register for the Defra’s Forums covering EPR and their
off their cups at any seller of drinks to go that they other two packaging policy measures Deposit Return
happen to be passing. We now run the risk in Scheme (DRS) and Recycling Waste Management
customers who do the right thing by taking back cups consistency link here.
having those cups refused and being discouraged These packaging reforms are the biggest government
from bothering again.
intervention on packaging for over 25 years and set
All packaging from 2026 will be required to be labelled the legislative framework for packaging for the next
‘Recycle’ or ‘Do not recycle’. This will make things 25 years at least. Not engaging isn’t an option for any
clearer for householders however it means business using packaging.
compostable packaging will be labelled ‘do not
recycle’. Meanwhile we have been successful in
getting agreement that plain unbranded packaging
need not carry the binary label. To do so would have
added considerable cost and extended lead times.

Of key importance is how will EPR funds be divided up
among local authorities. Should the better performing
ones be rewarded knowing money will be put to good
use or should poorer performing councils receive
disproportionately more to make the potentially
bigger gains? Business expects to receive excellent
value for its money. We don’t want to stand still, we
want more recycling.