EPR Archives | Ribble

EPR Update: What’s Changing in 2025

Posted on 11th June 2025 by definitionconsulting

We’re now halfway through 2025, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is already reshaping how UK businesses manage, report, and pay for the packaging they place on the market.

Whether you’re a retailer, manufacturer, importer or wholesaler, chances are your 2024 data has already been submitted and your first set of EPR fees is either calculated or on the way. If you’re still catching up, now’s the time to act to stay compliant and to reduce your future costs.

A Quick Recap: What Is EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility is a UK-wide scheme that shifts the cost of collecting and managing packaging waste away from local councils and onto the businesses that produce that packaging in the first place.

Under the rules, packaging producers must:

Collect and report data on the type and volume of packaging they handle
Pay fees based on how recyclable their packaging is and how much they put on the market
Take responsibility for packaging across its full lifecycle, from production to disposal

In practice, this means higher costs for businesses using hard-to-recycle materials and incentivises them to move towards more sustainable packaging solutions.

Where We Are Now in 2025

The EPR rollout began in 2023 with mandatory data collection. Although fees were initially expected to begin in 2024, they were deferred, giving businesses an extra year to prepare. In 2025:

Large organisations (those with turnover over £2 million and handling more than 50 tonnes of packaging) are now paying EPR fees based on their 2024 data
Small organisations (turnover over £1 million and handling more than 25 tonnes) had to submit their simplified data reports by 1 April 2025
Packaging fees are being issued through compliance schemes and the Environment Agency, and businesses should now budget for these ongoing annual costs

Want a breakdown of what those fees look like? Read the EPR fees and thresholds for 2025–2026 for cost bands, exemptions and materials.

Who Does EPR Apply To?

There’s still some confusion around eligibility. The EPR scheme doesn’t just affect packaging manufacturers, it applies to any business that:

Puts packaged goods on the UK market under its own brand
Imports packaged products for resale or internal use
Supplies empty packaging to third parties
Operates online retail or direct-to-consumer fulfilment

This includes wholesalers, supermarkets, e-commerce businesses, and contract packers. Even smaller businesses can be captured by the rules if their packaging volumes are high enough.

What Happens If You Don’t Comply?

Regulatory enforcement is active, and businesses that fail to submit data or pay their fees on time could face:

Fixed monetary penalties
Enforcement undertakings
Reputational damage
Long-term cost inefficiencies from unoptimised packaging

Moreover, failing to align with EPR expectations may limit your ability to work with larger customers who demand evidence of sustainability across the supply chain.

Reduce Costs with Smarter Packaging

Many businesses are now using EPR as a reason to reassess their packaging strategies. Beyond compliance, there’s an opportunity to reduce material use, improve recyclability and cut long-term costs.

At Ribble Packaging, we’ve seen strong demand for Right Size packaging solutions, using Fanfold material and automation to produce perfectly sized boxes with no void fill and minimal waste. It not only supports EPR goals but also cuts storage, transport and materials costs.

Switching to recyclable mono-materials and redesigning multi-component packaging can also have a significant impact on your future EPR fees.

What You Should Do Next

Check your reporting obligations — are you a small or large organisation under EPR?

Ensure your 2024 data has been submitted — and flag any inaccuracies before billing begins
Track your 2025 data now — this is what your 2026 fees will be based on
Review your packaging mix — can you remove complexity or reduce volume?
Talk to us — we can help assess your packaging footprint and explore cost saving options

Don’t Let EPR Catch You Off Guard

EPR is here to stay. And while the regulations can seem like just another set of boxes to tick, they’re a clear sign of where the packaging industry is heading — towards greater accountability, efficiency and sustainability.

At Ribble Packaging, we’re not just helping businesses meet compliance. We’re helping them future-proof their operations and packaging strategies for the long term.

Need guidance on your EPR obligations? Want to explore cost-saving packaging options? Contact our team, we’re happy to help.

What Manufacturers Need to Know About EPR

Posted on 14th November 202414th November 2024 by definitionconsulting

Sustainability regulations are tightening across the UK, and for packaging, this is represented by Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), pushing retailers and manufacturers to rethink their packaging or face additional costs.

EPR is designed to shift the responsibility of dealing with packaging waste to the companies that produce or handle it. This means that businesses are now obligated to manage the full lifecycle of their packaging, from production to disposal. This is a move aimed at reducing the environmental impact of packaging waste and encouraging the use of sustainable materials. Those who don’t comply or provide inaccurate reporting could be hit with large fines.

How EPR Fees Are Calculated

Only businesses that handle over 25 tonnes of packaging per year and have a turnover of more than £1 million will be subject to EPR regulations.

The fees under EPR are based on several factors, such as the type of material used in the packaging, its weight, and the amount of packaging a company places on the market. Different materials carry different recycling costs, and the fees are reflective of the environmental impact. For example, packaging made from easily recyclable materials like paper or cardboard will incur lower fees than materials like mixed plastics.

Here’s a breakdown of the illustrative base fees for 2025-2026:

*Table from Government website – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-illustrative-base-fees/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-illustrative-base-fees

When Do EPR Fees Apply?

The EPR regulations apply from the moment packaging is placed on the UK market. For retailers, this means that the packaging used to deliver products to consumers or other businesses will now be subject to these fees. EPR will impact manufacturers, e-commerce businesses, wholesalers, and any retailer that plays a role in distributing products.

Fees will typically apply annually based on the volume and type of packaging handled by the business. Companies will need to submit reports detailing their packaging use and pay fees that cover the environmental costs of collecting, recycling, and disposing of their packaging waste.

Government guidance

For more information on EPR please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-illustrative-base-fees/extended-producer-responsibility-for-packaging-illustrative-base-fees#second-release-of-illustrative-base-fees-for-2025-to-2026

An Update on the EPR Regulations on Packaging and what that means for you

Posted on 31st July 2024 by definitionconsulting

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) has been introduced to reshape packaging waste management in the UK and Europe. If you want to understand more about how this will impact your packaging, then stick around.

As the environmental impact of packaging continues to draw public and governmental scrutiny, EPR regulations are increasingly mandating that producers take full responsibility for the lifecycle of their packaging. Effective from October 2025, these regulations are going to change how businesses approach packaging design, production and disposal.

What is EPR?

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a framework that assigns producers significant financial and physical responsibility for the treatment and disposal of post-consumer products. The primary goal of EPR is to incentivise producers to incorporate environmental considerations into the design of their products and packaging, ultimately reducing waste and promoting recycling.

Key Changes in the EPR Regulations

The upcoming EPR regulations in the UK bring several key changes that businesses need to be aware of:

Producers will be required to cover the full net costs of managing packaging waste, including collection, sorting, recycling, and disposal. This includes payments to local authorities for handling household packaging waste
Companies must report on the packaging they place on the market. This data must be submitted bi-annually, covering the volume and type of packaging materials used, to ensure accurate calculation of waste management fees
Producers will need to obtain Packaging Waste Recycling Notes (PRNs) or Packaging Waste Export Recycling Notes (PERNs) as evidence that their packaging waste has been recycled. This system aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the recycling process
More information can be found here (GOV.UK).

Impacts on Packaging Design and Materials

The new EPR regulations are set to also impact how businesses design and choose materials for their packaging. To comply with EPR standards, companies are encouraged to use sustainable and recyclable materials. This shift is driving innovation in packaging design, with many businesses exploring alternatives. In reviewing packaging, many companies have already seen a reduction in excess packaging through Right Size packaging.

While there may be initial costs associated with transitioning to sustainable packaging, the long-term benefits include reduced waste management expenses and improved resource efficiency. Additionally, compliance with EPR regulations can help companies avoid potential fines and penalties. Other benefits have shown companies that adopt sustainable packaging practices can improve their green credentials and appeal to environmentally conscious consumers, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can differentiate a brand in a competitive market.

Practical Steps for EPR Compliance

Businesses across the UK should start by assessing their current packaging materials and practices to identify areas for improvement. Once identified, work closely with packaging suppliers to develop sustainable solutions that meet EPR standards. Suppliers like Ribble Packaging can offer expertise in optimising packaging and material selection.

Consult the Experts at Ribble Packaging

The EPR regulations mark a significant shift in how packaging waste is managed in the UK. While these regulations pose challenges for businesses in terms of increased costs and compliance requirements, they also offer opportunities for innovation and sustainability. By staying informed and proactively adapting to these changes, companies can not only comply with the regulations but also enhance their environmental impact.

At Ribble Packaging we specialise in providing EPR compliant packaging solutions tailored to your business needs through Right Size Packaging. Contact us today and see how we can help you understand the complexities of EPR regulations.

For more detailed information on the EPR regulations and their implementation, you can visit the official UK government pages (GOV.UK).

Why Packaging Waste Matters: New Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Updates

Posted on 1st May 20241st May 2024 by definitionconsulting

The way we package our goods can significantly contribute to a better planet, so it’s no surprise the spotlight is now on sustainability in packaging practices, with updated regulations on packaging waste set to come in October 2025.
These regulations come in the form of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), a regulatory framework aimed at changing how we approach packaging waste. Whether you’re sourcing materials domestically or relying on imports, this impending scheme is set to reshape your packaging operations.
This blog serves as an informative follow-up to our previous discussions on the topic, providing the latest updates on EPR.

Understanding EPR

At its core, EPR shifts the responsibility for packaging waste management onto producers, requiring them to bear the full cost of collection, sorting, treatment, and recycling. Recent updates to EPR regulations have brought about significant changes, including the introduction of modulated fees. The payment year has also been deferred from October 2024 to October 2025, however, businesses are still required to declare their packaging waste for 2023.
This initiative is driven by the objective of incentivising producers to limit packaging waste and enhance recyclability. This shift inevitably carries financial implications, as costs are predicted to increase. Therefore, it’s important to understand how EPR will influence your packaging operations and how you can proactively mitigate associated expenses.

Aligning Packaging Practices with EPR

EPR encourages producers to rethink packaging choices and design, urging businesses to embrace recyclable materials and eco-design principles while reducing waste. As companies gear up to comply with EPR regulations, it’s clear that innovative solutions will be essential in meeting these new standards effectively.

How can Right Size Packaging Help?

Right Size solutions combine Ribble’s industry-leading Fanfold material and state-of-the-art technology to create the perfect size box for all products. This ensures every item of packaging fits the product exactly, negating the need for void fillers and excess packaging.
We have a simple 4-step process for our Right Size solutions:
1. Enter box style and dimensions.
2. Select how many are required.
3. The box is produced within seconds.
4. Products are packaged in the perfect-sized box.

As well as saving on EPR tax, businesses will save on fuel and transport costs, regain warehouse space and save on labour costs, all resulting in up to 30% savings on packaging costs.
If you would like to discuss EPR in more detail with some of the packaging experts at Ribble Packaging, you can contact us at info@ribble-pack.co.uk or visit our contact page.