British Glass has welcomed 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 also include an update to the material value assigned to glass packaging and plans to introduce higher modulation factors for less recyclable packaging materials from the third year of pEPR. The government will additionally issue calls for evidence on fee modulation and reuse, according to the trade body.
Concern over weight-based fees
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 by weight, and had prompted material switching from glass to lighter packaging materials.
The trade body argued that the current fee design does not reflect the number of units that food and drink companies place on the market, and that the resulting cost pressure has encouraged some customers to move away from glass toward lighter alternatives. That shift, British Glass said, adds pressure on domestic manufacturers.
Nick Kirk, executive director of British Glass, said the government had listened and recognised the importance of maintaining a strong domestic glass industry. He said the proposed changes begin to address some unintended consequences of pEPR and better recognise glass's environmental benefits. Kirk cited the planned update to glass material value, the proposed acceleration of modulation factors and a commitment to review future fee structures as moves toward a fairer system.
Hospitality exemption and timeline
Kirk said it was important to understand the full impact of the proposed exemption, but encouraging that the government recognised challenges facing hospitality businesses and was taking steps to avoid unnecessary costs. He particularly welcomed the forthcoming calls for evidence on modulation and reuse.
British Glass noted that the reforms will not take effect until the scheme's third year, covering April 2027 to March 2028. The organisation said glass manufacturers continue to face pressure from high energy costs, international competition and uncertainty over future packaging policy.
Kirk said the changes must be the start rather than the end of the process, adding that glass manufacturers are making decisions on investment, production and jobs now.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said the government had shown it means business on tackling harmful packaging materials and protecting UK glass manufacturing.