{"id":7694,"date":"2025-06-16T06:47:52","date_gmt":"2025-06-16T10:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=7694"},"modified":"2025-06-16T06:47:52","modified_gmt":"2025-06-16T10:47:52","slug":"uk-government-agrees-to-reassess-epr-scheme-ukhospitality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.packagingindustrynews.com\/?p=7694","title":{"rendered":"UK government agrees to reassess EPR scheme: UKHospitality"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n \n <\/picture>
Numerous hospitality establishments are said to incur dual expenses for recycling. Credit: Adrian Tambo\/Shutterstock.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The UK government has agreed to investigate a new approach to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, stated UKHospitality.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

This decision follows concerns about the classification of specific packaging within the hospitality industry as household waste.<\/p>\n

Numerous hospitality establishments are currently incurring dual expenses for recycling, as they face an EPR charge from suppliers while also paying for commercial waste disposal.<\/p>\n

In a recent roundtable meeting with the Defra Minister Mary Creagh, it was agreed that the department would work together with the sector to identify a practical solution.<\/p>\n

This initiative corresponds with proposals that UKHospitality submitted to the government last year.<\/p>\n

The trade association is optimistic that a solution can be proposed for the EPR scheme\u2019s second year.<\/p>\n

UKHospitality has been advocating for modifications to ease the financial burden on its members.<\/p>\n

The organisation has presented recommendations to Defra and has reached out directly to the Secretary of State, in collaboration with a coalition of leading businesses.<\/p>\n

Concerns have also been raised to the Prime Minister and Chancellor due to \u201cDefra\u2019s inaction\u201d, stated UKHospitality.<\/p>\n

Among the suggestions made by UKHospitality is that packaging supplied directly to hospitality businesses and exclusive wholesalers be exempted from EPR charges.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, it have proposed a mechanism to ensure that EPR fees are only applicable to the volume of packaged products sold for off-premises consumption.<\/p>\n

UKHospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls said:\u00a0\u201cI\u2019m pleased that Defra is finally properly engaging with this issue and acting on our concerns.<\/p>\n

\u201cUKHospitality has been campaigning on this issue for over a year and warning of the unfair and costly impact it will have on hospitality businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have put forward clear proposals that can solve this issue, which include an exemption for closed loop hospitality businesses, and I hope that we can work at pace with the Government to put something in place for the second year of the scheme.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, this is not an ideal timeline for businesses affected this year. In light of the Government acknowledging that there is a problem that needs solving, I urge hospitality suppliers to recognise this and not pass additional EPR costs through to operators.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n