Plastic Packaging EPR Guide
Complete guide to plastic packaging EPR obligations in the UK. Covers fee rates, material subtypes, recyclability, and reporting requirements.
Fee Rate 2025-26
£423/tonne
UK Recycling Rate
44% (2024 UK figure)
Recyclability
Varies widely by polymer type. PET and HDPE widely recyclable. LDPE recyclable a...
Common Plastic Packaging
Plastic is the most diverse packaging material, covering over a dozen polymer types from widely recyclable PET to difficult-to-recycle multi-layer laminates. At £423/tonne, plastic has the second-highest base EPR fee rate for 2025-2026.
Polymer Types and Classification
For EPR reporting, all plastics are grouped under a single "plastic" material category, regardless of polymer type. However, the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) will differentiate between polymers for modulated fees from 2026-2027.
Common plastic polymers in packaging:
- PET (1) — bottles, trays, blister packs. Widely recyclable.
- HDPE (2) — bottles, containers. Widely recyclable.
- PVC (3) — blister packs, cling film. Difficult to recycle.
- LDPE (4) — bags, film, stretch wrap. Recyclable at collection points.
- PP (5) — containers, caps, straws. Increasingly recyclable.
- PS (6) — foam packaging (EPS). Limited recyclability.
- Other (7) — multi-layer, bioplastics. Very limited recyclability.
Reducing Your Plastic EPR Costs
Strategies to reduce plastic EPR fees include:
- Lightweighting — using thinner films and lighter bottles
- Material switching — replacing PVC with PET, which is more recyclable
- Design for recycling — using mono-material packaging instead of multi-layer laminates
- Increasing recycled content — which may receive favourable treatment under modulated fees
The plastic packaging EPR guide covers polymer-specific strategies in detail.
Modulated Fee Impact (RAM)
From 2026-2027, modulated fees will penalise hard-to-recycle plastics (PVC, multi-polymer, black plastic) with higher charges. Easily recyclable formats (clear PET, natural HDPE) may receive lower rates.
Sectors Using Plastic Packaging
Plastic EPR Questions
Are all plastics the same fee rate for EPR?
Currently yes — all plastics are £423/tonne for 2025-2026 regardless of polymer type. From 2026-2027, modulated fees under the RAM will differentiate between recyclable and non-recyclable plastics, with hard-to-recycle formats attracting higher charges.
Is EPS foam classified as plastic?
Yes. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) is classified as plastic for EPR reporting. Despite its low density, it must be reported by weight under the plastic material category.
How do I classify multi-layer plastic packaging?
If all layers are plastic (e.g., PE/nylon/EVOH), classify as plastic. If the packaging contains non-plastic layers (aluminium, paper), it may be classified as fibre-based composite or multi-material depending on composition.
Does recycled content reduce my EPR fee?
Not under the current 2025-2026 base fee structure. However, from 2026-2027, modulated fees may offer lower rates for packaging with high recycled content. The exact modulation rules are being finalised by DEFRA.
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