Mooted EPR fees now too low, says waste authority

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The row over the cost of producer responsibility for packaging recovery has escalated with a disposal body claiming revised outline base fees are too low.

The North London Waste Authority (NLWA), which covers seven boroughs in the capital, described the government’s apparent climb down as “disappointing”.

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs last week published fresh “illustrative base fees” for 2025/26 under the controversial incoming extended producer responsibility rules.

Despite the estimated cost of putting packaging on the market falling by up to £115 per tonne under the revised figures, some manufacturers called for further cuts.

But now the NLWA has weighed in, warning that the reductions already made were “likely to have significant economic consequences for cash-strapped local authorities”.

Chair Clyde Loakes added: “It is disappointing to see that the cost per tonne for most materials has been lowered.

“Extended producer responsibility fees should incentivise manufacturers to reduce packaging waste, and by not taking this forward as originally proposed, local councils will continue to pick up the tab for disposal.”

He added: “The government must maintain its pledge to transition to a circular economy and ensure that the financial strain of waste management falls on the shoulders of producers, not local authorities and hard-pressed council taxpayers.”

Defra last week said the reductions were due to “using new data sources” and stressed that the latest figures were “still estimates”.