The Government has announced that Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) will be delayed until October 2025.
In a statement on the Defra website, it said that fees paid by producers of waste to local authorities would be paid now from October 2025 rather than October 2024.
This effectively delays the implementation of the policy that was first announced in the Resources & Waste Strategy in 2018.
The Recycling Association chief executive Paul Sanderson said: “This further delay to implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility is unbelievable.
“We’ve been waiting too long for EPR and Consistency of Collections to be introduced, and we need to get on with it.
“Both of these policies have the potential to transform the UK recycling landscape, and provide essential funds to develop UK infrastructure. We’ve had too many years of drift already since these policies were first announced in 2018, and now it seems we won’t get any further until at least 2025. That is too long, especially as much of the detail should have long been worked out.
“This delay must ensure that we are fully ready to implement EPR and Consistency of Collections soon after with all of the policy detail worked out and agreed.”
CIWM policy and external affairs director Lee Marshall added: “After raising our concerns directly with the Prime Minister just last month, CIWM is disappointed to learn that EPR for packaging fees have been deferred for a year. 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.
“Today, we reiterate our call for government to press ahead with executing the reforms on EPR and consistent collections. The sector is ready, willing and able to implement them and bring about the step-change in recycling rates that they are designed to deliver. This is a valuable opportunity for the UK to show strong leadership and demonstrate its commitment to lead on combatting climate change, and CIWM stands ready to support as we continue our journey to a world beyond waste.”
