Understanding
Upcoming Legislation

Corporate packaging and recycling legislation is a rapidly evolving landscape, influenced by both domestic and international regulations and frameworks—don’t get left behind.

Preparing for EPR Duties and Responsibilities

The extended producer responsibility for packaging scheme (EPR) will make companies responsible for the full lifecycle of packaging they produce, including collection, sorting and recycling of disposable packaging and waste.

“The roll-out of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations in the UK heralds a vitally important shift in the transition from a linear to a more circular economy. EPR ultimately seeks to make producers responsible for the full lifecycle of the products they put on the market. Doing so, EPR helps to maximise the value of material waste and reduce the negative impact it has on the environment.” Polytag CEO and founder, Alice Rackley said.

The regulations will apply to all obligated UK organisations that import or supply packaging. By asking producers to be responsible for the environmental and social impacts of their products, it incentivises everyone to design products that are more recyclable, durable or repairable as well as promotes national investment in recycling and waste management infrastructure.

Contact Polytag to discuss how your EPR strategy and approach and how we can support your business on efficiencies, cost-saving and compliance.

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When Will EPR Be Implemented In The UK?

The full implementation of EPR for packaging is expected in 2025.

Turn Your Deposit Returns Scheme Digital

A Deposit Return Scheme (sometimes referred to as a Deposit Refund System, or DRS) is a deposit mechanism which seeks to improve recycling rates and improve the quality of collected waste material that can be recycled. Thanks to the higher quality of materials being recycled, the plastic can be repurposed into high-quality recycled plastic. This is better for the environment and reduces the amount of ‘virgin plastic’ being used each year.

“By placing an extra deposit cost on a product at the point of sale, consumers can be incentivised to return them and secure their refund once they are returned to a collection point—however we have developed an even stronger motivator in digital DRS technology, enabling rewards and refunds to happen in home recycling.” Brian Cook, Chief Product Officer at Polytag said.

Read our Ocado case study on DDRS

Polytag has been working to create a new breed of transformative digital DRS technology (DDRS). Digital DRS technologies are well suited to the UK’s resource and waste system for two reasons: the existence of a fully functioning kerbside waste and recycling collection service across the country, and consumers’ familiarity with QR codes post-Covid.

While DRS can be used on a range of different products, the focus of DRS across the four devolved nations in the UK is plastic, aluminium, and glass drinks bottles. These are made of high-quality, food-grade materials which can be easily recycled when separated from other packaging waste.

Contact Polytag to discuss how to DDRS can revolutionise your recycling strategy.

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When Will DRS Be Implemented In The UK?

Scotland, England and Northern Ireland are due to implement a DRS, with kick-off scheduled for late 2027. Wales is considering their approach and is set to make announcements on their intentions shortly.

Preparing for PPWR

The regulation, which aims to tackle constantly growing waste, harmonise internal market rules and boost the circular economy, was approved with 476 votes in favour, 129 against and 24 abstentions.

Learn about PPWR

PPWR is a new EU regulation that stands for the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and aims to reduce packaging waste, restrict certain types of packaging and promote a more circular economy for packaging materials.

PPWR includes packaging reduction targets at 5% by 2030, 10% by 2035 and 15% by 2040 with a strong focus on EU countries reducing the amount of plastic packaging waste. 

PPWR aims to ban the use of certain single use plastic packaging types from 1 January 2030 including plastic packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and vegetables, foods and beverages filled and consumed in cafés and restaurants, individual portions including condiments and sugars, accommodation miniature packaging for toiletry products and lightweight plastic carrier bags below 15 microns.

To prevent adverse health effects, PPWR seeks a ban on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances or PFASs  better known as “forever chemicals” above certain thresholds in food contact packaging.

Under the new PPWR rules, packaging will have to be recyclable by fulfilling strict criteria—with some exceptions including cork, textile, porcelain and wax.

Contact Polytag to discuss how to PPWR can shape your product strategy.

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When Will PPWR Be Implemented In The EU?

PPWR is predicted to be finalised and implemented between the end of 2025 and the start of 2026.

Anti-Greenwashing Legislation

Greenwashing is the term used when a business, service or product makes an false or misleading environmental claim. Greenwashing can be implicit or explicit and spans across product or service names, language and copy, symbols and logos, graphics and colours.

There are multiple pieces of anti-greenwashing legislation already in place, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) anti-greenwashing rule and the European Union’s updated consumer rules.

We want to protect consumers against greenwashing so they can make informed decisions that are aligned with their sustainability preferences. We also want to create a level playing field for firms in an evolving market. We introduced the anti-greenwashing rule to clarify to firms that sustainability-related claims about their products and services must be fair, clear and not misleading. It gives us an explicit rule on which to challenge firms if we consider they are making misleading sustainability-related claims.

The Financial Conduct Authority

Logo for the Financial Conduct Authority

Optimising ESG Reporting and Strategy

ESG (environmental impact, social practices, and governance standards) reporting and target setting is a key strategic business measurement.

Key considerations for ESG target setting

  • Materiality:Identify and action the ESG factors that are relevant to your business and its stakeholders.
  • Measurability:Ensure your targets are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART).
  • Benchmarking:Regularly evaluating your organisation‘s ESG standards within industry and country to provide context.
  • Reporting:Clearly communicate your targets and progress in your ESG reports.
  • Transparency:Share data, sources and methodology where possible.
  • Stakeholder Engagement:Involve relevant stakeholders in the target-setting process to ensure alignment and buy-in.

Contact Polytag to discuss how we can help your organisation with ESG reporting and benchmarking.

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