Steel Packaging EPR Guide
Complete guide to steel packaging EPR obligations. Covers food cans, drums, aerosols, closures, and reporting requirements.
Fee Rate 2025-26
£44/tonne
UK Recycling Rate
80% (2024 UK figure)
Recyclability
Infinitely recyclable. Steel retains full quality. Magnetic properties make sepa...
Common Steel Packaging
Steel has the lowest EPR fee rate of any material at £44/tonne for 2025-2026. This reflects steel's excellent recyclability — magnetic properties make it easy to separate from waste streams, and established recycling infrastructure ensures high recovery rates.
Common Steel Packaging
- Food cans — tinned food, pet food cans. Tin-plated steel.
- Industrial drums — 205-litre drums for chemicals and oils.
- Aerosol cans — some aerosols are steel rather than aluminium.
- Crown caps — bottle caps for beer and soft drinks.
- Steel strapping — banding for heavy loads.
- Paint cans — steel tins for paint and coatings.
Steel vs Aluminium
At £44/tonne, steel is slightly cheaper than aluminium (£50/tonne). Both metals have very low EPR fees compared to plastic (£423) or paper (£196). Businesses with significant metal packaging benefit from these low rates.
Modulated Fee Impact (RAM)
Steel scores excellently under RAM. Magnetic separation makes it one of the easiest materials to sort and recycle.
Sectors Using Steel Packaging
Automotive Parts
EPR compliance for UK automotive parts suppliers and retailers. Track packaging for components, fluids, and accessories....
Pet Care
EPR compliance for UK pet food and pet care product companies. Track food pouches, bags, and accessory packaging....
Construction & Building
EPR compliance for UK construction material suppliers. Track packaging for building products, fixings, and tools....
Chemicals & Hazardous
EPR compliance for UK chemical manufacturers and distributors. Track drums, IBCs, and hazmat-compliant packaging....
Steel EPR Questions
Are food cans always steel?
Almost always. Standard food cans (baked beans, soup, vegetables, pet food) are tin-plated steel. Beverage cans are aluminium. Use a magnet to verify — steel is magnetic.
Do I report the paper label on a steel can separately?
Yes. The paper label is a separate packaging component reported under paper/card. The steel can body is reported under steel. The lid (if different material) is also reported separately.
Are steel drums the cheapest packaging for EPR?
Per tonne of packaging, yes — steel at £44/tonne is the lowest rate. But drums are heavy (10-20kg empty), so a single drum adds more tonnage than thousands of lightweight plastic items.
Is steel strapping packaging?
Yes. Steel strapping used to secure loads for transport is transit packaging and must be reported under the steel material category.
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