Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what comparative assessment she has made of the fee structure of the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme and similar schemes in European countries.

The Department has considered the design of similar schemes in European countries as pEPR has been developed in the UK. However, direct comparisons of fee levels can be misleading because schemes differ in scope, in how drinks containers are treated, and how waste management costs are reflected.

In the UK, fees are calculated to reflect the real costs faced by local authorities. The methodology uses weight and estimated packaging volume, alongside other costs associated with collection, treatment and disposal.

PackUK plan to launch a Call for Evidence this year to inform future approaches to fee modulation.