Glass Packaging EPR Guide
Complete guide to glass packaging EPR obligations. Covers bottles, jars, fee rates, DRS implications, and weight management strategies.
Fee Rate 2025-26
£192/tonne
UK Recycling Rate
76% (2024 UK figure)
Recyclability
Infinitely recyclable. Glass can be recycled endlessly without loss of quality. ...
Common Glass Packaging
Glass has the lowest EPR fee rate of any major packaging material at £192/tonne for 2025-2026. However, glass is heavy — a single wine bottle can weigh 400-900g — so total fees can be substantial for high-volume users.
Glass Weight Management
Glass weight is the single biggest lever for managing EPR costs in the drinks and food sectors. Strategies include:
- Lightweighting — modern glass bottles can be 30-50% lighter than traditional designs while maintaining strength
- Standard formats — using industry-standard bottle shapes allows use of optimised, lighter moulds
- Weight specifications — always use actual manufacturer weights, never estimates
DRS Implications
Glass drink containers will be in scope for the Deposit Return Scheme when it launches. This will create a dual obligation — EPR fees plus DRS deposits. The exact interaction between the two schemes is being finalised.
Colour Matters
For recycling purposes, glass is separated by colour: clear (flint), green, and amber/brown. Clear glass has the highest recycling value. The colour of your glass may affect modulated fee rates from 2026-2027 under the RAM assessment.
Modulated Fee Impact (RAM)
Glass generally scores well under RAM due to established recycling infrastructure. Coloured glass (especially mixed/amber) may score slightly less favourably than clear glass.
Sectors Using Glass Packaging
Pharmaceutical & Healthcare
EPR compliance for UK pharmaceutical and healthcare businesses. Track blister packs, bottles, and medical packaging....
Drinks & Beverages
EPR compliance for UK drinks manufacturers, importers, and retailers. Track bottles, cans, cartons, and multipack packag...
Wine & Spirits
EPR compliance for UK wine, spirits, and craft drinks companies. Track bottles, closures, labels, and gift packaging....
Glass EPR Questions
Why is glass EPR cheap per tonne but expensive overall?
Glass is £192/tonne — the lowest rate. But glass is heavy. A wine business selling 200,000 bottles at 500g each handles 100 tonnes = £19,200 in glass EPR fees. The weight makes it expensive in absolute terms despite the low per-tonne rate.
Does glass colour affect EPR fees?
Not under the current 2025-2026 base fees. All glass is £192/tonne regardless of colour. From 2026-2027, modulated fees may differentiate, as clear glass is more easily recycled than mixed colours.
Can I reduce glass EPR costs?
Yes — lightweight your bottles. Moving from 750g to 400g bottles reduces your glass tonnage by 47%. Over large volumes, the EPR savings are significant, plus you save on transport costs.
How will DRS affect glass EPR?
Glass drink containers will be in both EPR and DRS scope. DEFRA is working on rules to prevent double-charging. Our platform will be updated when the final guidance is published.
Need help with glass packaging compliance?
Start your free trial and get your EPR reporting sorted in minutes.
Start Your Free Trial