UK Packaging PRO has been appointed as the Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) for the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme, PackUK announced Monday.
PackUK is the scheme administrator for the UK’s pEPR program.
“UK Packaging PRO is a producer-led organization created to help deliver one of the most significant environmental programs in a generation. pEPR will help drive the shift to more recyclable materials and reduce waste from going into the nation’s landfills,” PackUK said.
UK Packaging PRO has brought together more than 100 of the UK’s largest brands, retailers and trade bodies, supported by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), among others.
“A truly collaborative model, an industry-led PRO represents a unique opportunity for stakeholders across the value chain to shape the future delivery of the pEPR scheme. It strengthens the partnership between government and industry, harnessing the insights and expertise of producers to deliver against pEPR obligations and achieve shared goals, to increase recycling rates and drive circularity,” PackUK said.
The pEPR scheme provides funding to local authorities to drive improvements in recycling, with £1.4 billion invested in Year 1 of the scheme. The scheme is designed to improve packaging waste collection and recycling while incentivizing producers to reduce their material footprint.
The formal appointment for UK Packaging PRO will commence on April 1, 2026, with responsibilities introduced gradually. PackUK will maintain oversight of the PRO and ensure its accountability to the governments of the UK’s four nations.
Core administrative powers, such as final decisions on local authority payments and producer fees, will remain with PackUK.
