Valpak models changes for packaging waste producers under EPR proposals

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Valpak head of consulting James Skidmore
Valpak head of consulting James Skidmore

Compliance scheme Valpak has produced a report that looks at how packaging waste producers will be affected by the Government’s proposals for Extended Producer Responsibility.

The report uses information from Valpak’s Environment Product Information Centre (EPIC) database that holds detailed metrics on packaging in the UK.

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The Packflow EPR report includes:

  • an overview of suggested EPR changes
  • the impact of different areas of the supply chain
  • new funding arrangements and responsibilities placed on local authorities, councils and reprocessors
  • possible impacts on the environment
  • scenarios showing the potential scale of fee modulation for packaging producers, including the impact of new responsibilities for the management of littler. The modulated fee system aims to encourage the design of more sustainable packaging. It involves higher fees for less recyclable packaging products, or for those which do not contain recycled material.

Valpak head of consulting James Skidmore said: “We already knew that overall costs for producers were set to rise from £230 million to £2.7 billion. However, under the modulated fee system, some packaging materials will bear a greater portion of the cost. Valpak’s Packflow EPR breaks down the figures to forecast the impact on different materials. It also shows how responsibility and funding could be allocated through different areas of the supply chain.

“We stand on the brink of the greatest changes to the Packaging Waste Regulations in a quarter of a century. Put simply, this consultation represents the most important opportunity for everyone to have their say into how the system could operate for a long time to come.

“In the midst of a climate crisis, recycling can have a big impact, but the potential costs to producers are huge, and ensuring value for money for consumers will be critical. The increase in packaging recycling resulting from the new system will generate a carbon reduction of 4.38 million tonnes between 2022 and 2032. The entire industry needs to make its voice heard, and Packflow EPR will help packaging producers to make an informed choice.”

The report can be viewed at https://www.valpak.co.uk/more/material-flow-reports/packflow-epr

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