British Glass has welcomed UK government plans to revise packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR) fees, including an exemption for certain glass packaging supplied directly to licensed hospitality venues.
The proposed package also includes an updated material value for glass packaging and a plan to apply higher modulation factors to packaging materials that are less recyclable, starting in the third year of pEPR. The government will also issue calls for evidence on fee modulation and reuse.
The exemption is framed for certain glass packaging supplied directly to licensed hospitality venues, rather than for glass packaging generally. The proposed modulation changes would begin in the third year and would differentiate less recyclable materials; the separate calls for evidence are intended to examine fee modulation and reuse.
Why the trade body raised concerns
British Glass said glass has carried a disproportionate share of pEPR costs because the fees are based on weight rather than on the number of packaging units placed on the market.
According to the organisation, this has increased pressure on UK glass manufacturers from food and drink companies that buy packaging by unit count rather than weight, encouraging some to switch from glass to lighter materials.
Nick Kirk, executive director of British Glass, said the government had listened and recognised the value of maintaining a strong domestic glass industry. He said the proposed changes would begin to address unintended consequences of pEPR and give greater recognition to glass's environmental benefits.
Kirk pointed to the planned update of the glass material value, the proposed acceleration of modulation factors and the commitment to review future fee structures as steps toward a fairer system. He also said the full impact of the hospitality exemption still needed to be understood, but welcomed the government's recognition of pressures on hospitality businesses and its aim of avoiding unnecessary costs. British Glass said it particularly welcomed the forthcoming calls for evidence on modulation and reuse.
Timing and industry pressures
The reforms are not due to take effect until the third year of the scheme, covering April 2027 to March 2028. British Glass said glass manufacturers continue to face high energy costs, international competition and uncertainty over future packaging policy.
Kirk said the process should be treated as a starting point rather than a conclusion, adding that glass manufacturers are currently making decisions about investment, production and jobs. Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said the government had shown that it intends to tackle harmful packaging materials and protect UK glass manufacturing.