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

To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence they have that the introduction of modulated Extended Producer Responsibility fees will improve packaging recycling rates in the absence of reform to local collection and recycling infrastructure.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is part of this Government’s broader Collection and Packaging Reforms, including Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme (due to launch in October 2027). These reforms together shift the financial burden of recycling household packaging from the public purse to producers and incentivise more efficient and effective recycling systems to push up levels of recycling across the country. The Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) funding from year 1 of the scheme has already been distributed to Local Authorities providing additional funding to deliver Simpler Recycling reforms across England, ensuring that people can recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school.

From year 2 of EPR (2026/27) onwards, fees will be modulated to ensure that packaging materials that are less recyclable incur higher fees and packaging materials which are more recyclable incur lower fees, incentivising industry to transition towards more recyclable material. PackUK, the EPR scheme administrator, is working closely with local authorities to ensure the efficient and effective management of household packaging waste.