Your 2026 Packaging Calendar

As we begin 2026, it’s the ideal time to step back and organise your packaging strategy for the year ahead.

Whether you’re reviewing sustainability goals, recovering from peak, or staying on top of packaging waste obligations, having a clear plan makes everything easier. What do you need to consider throughout 2026, and by when?

This blog highlights why planning your packaging is vital this year, along with a month-by-month breakdown of key dates to add to your diaries, to make the most out of your packaging in 2026.

Why packaging planning matters more than ever in 2026

In 2026, packaging planning is critical to controlling cost, availability and performance. Businesses are facing:

• Ongoing material price pressures and longer lead times
• Increasing sustainability expectations from customers
• Packaging legislation that directly impacts costs, including EPR and the Plastic Packaging Tax

Planning helps you secure supply, manage compliance, and avoid last-minute decisions, particularly ahead of seasonal peaks. Early conversations give you more choice, better outcomes and fewer surprises as demand increases.

Your 2026 packaging planning guide

January is a time for reflection and reset. It’s your chance to review what worked well in 2025, identify areas for improvement and set priorities for the year ahead. This is a good month to:

Let’s not forget some important dates for your diary, including:

• Report Plastic Packaging Tax return data for 1 October–31 December 2025 by 30 January 2026
• Ensure you have purchased adequate Packaging Recovery Notes (PRN’s) to fulfil your obligation for 2025 packaging

Starting the year organised puts you in a much stronger position for the months ahead.

February is about looking forward and starting conversations early. This is the right time to:

• Begin presentation and retail packaging and early planning for Christmas 2026 – now is the perfect time to think about your 2026 advent calendars
• Order transit packaging ahead of Easter promotions. Easter falls on 5 April this year, so planning in preparation for the breaks is beneficial
• Review materials considering the ongoing Plastic Packaging Tax increases

It’s important to note that the Plastic Packaging Tax has increased every year since its introduction in 2021 and is set to rise again to £229, per tonne from April 2026. The Government also plans to further change the tax methodology from April 2027. Reviewing materials early helps businesses remain compliant with this changing landscape and reduces additional costs.

March often bridges planning and execution. Key actions include:

Having clean, well-organised data now makes compliance much easier.

April is when many packaging plans move into action. Operationally, it’s a is strong time to:

• Implement agreed packaging changes
• Install automation solutions
• Update internal packaging specifications and processes

This month may include key reporting milestones, like:

• 1 April 2026: small businesses submit full EPR packaging data for 2025
• Large businesses report EPR packaging data for July–December 2025 by 1 April 2026 (note if using a compliance scheme, deadlines are often earlier)

By May, attention often shifts to streamlining. Simplifying processes now helps reduce pressure during busier periods later in the year. This is a good time to:

• Review purchasing and stock control processes
• Check that packaging data is easy to access and update
• Put systems in place that support reporting

It may feel early, but June is the ideal time to begin planning for peak trading (November–December). Early preparation ensures you have enough packaging and avoids last-minute spending. Focus on:

• Forecasting packaging volumes
• Reviewing packaging stock levels
• Planning seasonal or promotional packaging
• Placing orders for custom stock before lead times extend

July is a practical month for action. Making changes now allows time to test and refine before peak begins. Many businesses choose to:

• Install packaging automation ahead of peak
• Finalise packaging designs and formats
• Review packaging performance before demand increases

August can be quieter operationally, but it’s a critical planning month. A little planning here helps prevent disruption later. Use this time to:

• Confirm packaging availability for autumn
• Check lead times with suppliers
• Finalise / place any outstanding peak packaging orders

By September, peak planning should be close to complete. Confidence now means fewer surprises during your busiest months. This is the time to:

• Confirm delivery schedules and volumes
• Check artwork, labelling and specifications
• Ensure packaging data is fully up to date

October brings another important EPR milestone. Some businesses may also need to register for future EPR obligations around this time, depending on turnover and packaging volumes. If you’re already registered, you need to:

• Submit EPR data for 1 January–30 June 2026, by 1 October 2026 if you’re a large business (note compliance schemes often require data to be submitted ahead of this deadline)

It’s also a good month to:

• Monitor packaging performance during peak
• Review damage rates and returns
• Capture early insights for next year’s planning

While peak is still ongoing, November is an ideal time for planning. Early thinking now makes January far more productive. Consider:

• Forecasting packaging volumes for 2027
• Reviewing longer-term material changes
• Build contingency plans in case of stock issues during high demand

December is about closing the loop. A strong finish sets you up for a smoother start to the following year. Use this time to:

• Review what worked well and what didn’t
• Capture lessons learned during peak
• Prepare notes and actions for January planning

To make planning even easier, we’ve created a downloadable 2026 Packaging calendar that turns this guide into a simple, practical tool you can use throughout the year.