British Glass has welcomed UK government plans to change packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) fees, including an exemption for certain glass packaging supplied directly to licensed hospitality venues.
The proposed measures would update the material value assigned to glass packaging and introduce higher modulation factors for less recyclable packaging materials from pEPR’s third year. The government also plans calls for evidence on fee modulation and reuse.
Weight-based costs
British Glass said glass had faced a disproportionate share of pEPR costs because fees are calculated by weight rather than by the number of packaging units placed on the market. It said this had increased pressure on UK glass manufacturers from food and drink companies that buy packaging by unit, not weight, prompting material switching from glass to lighter packaging.
Nick Kirk, executive director of British Glass, said the government had listened and recognised the importance of maintaining a strong domestic glass industry.
Kirk said the proposals would begin to address some unintended consequences of pEPR and better recognise glass’s environmental benefits. He said the planned update to glass’s material value, the proposed acceleration of modulation factors and a commitment to review future fee structures would move the system in a fairer direction.
He added that the full impact of the proposed exemption still needed to be understood, but said it was encouraging that the government recognised hospitality businesses’ challenges and was taking steps to avoid unnecessary costs. British Glass particularly welcomed the forthcoming calls for evidence on modulation and reuse.
Timing and industry pressure
The reforms will not take effect until the scheme’s third year, covering April 2027 to March 2028, British Glass noted. It said glass manufacturers continued to face high energy costs, international competition and uncertainty over future packaging policy.
Kirk said the changes should be the start rather than the end of the process, adding that glass manufacturers were making decisions on investment, production and jobs now.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said the government had shown it meant business in tackling harmful packaging materials and protecting UK glass manufacturing.