2025 is the year that new regulations are set to reshape the retail landscape, particularly in relation to plastic packaging.
In a drive to reduce plastic waste and increase recycling, businesses must adapt to Extended Producer Responsibility, the Plastic Packaging Tax, and other key sustainability targets. These changes are vital for meeting the UK’s environmental goals, but they also bring significant implications for retailers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Here’s everything you need to know to stay compliant and thrive in the evolving retail environment.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) – Coming in 2025
What is EPR?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) places the onus on businesses to manage the entire lifecycle of their packaging, from production to end-of-life. In 2025, many UK retailers and packaging producers will be required to ensure their plastic packaging is properly collected, recycled, and reused. This system is designed to improve recycling rates and reduce plastic waste.
What This Means for Retailers
Retailers will be accountable for:
- Reporting the type and amount of packaging used.
- Paying for the collection and recycling of their packaging waste.
- Ensuring packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable.
How to Prepare
Start by auditing your packaging materials. If your products use non-recyclable plastics, consider switching to more sustainable options like recyclable polypropylene (PP) or cardboard. Choosing PP (Polypropylene) over PS (Polystyrene) could lead to future savings in the event of eco-modulated fees being applied. Take proactive steps to streamline your waste management processes, as these new regulations will impose stricter reporting requirements and penalties for non-compliance.
The Plastic Packaging Tax – An Incentive to Use Recycled Materials
What is the Plastic Packaging Tax?
The Plastic Packaging Tax was introduced in April 2022 and will become more important in 2025 as businesses are required to comply fully. This tax applies to packaging that contains less than 30% recycled plastic, currently charging £217.85 per tonne of packaging material (subject to change) that doesn’t meet this threshold.
Why Does It Matter To Retailers?
If you use plastic packaging in your products, you could face significant costs if your packaging contains low or no recycled content. The tax encourages businesses to switch to recycled materials, aligning with broader sustainability goals while reducing environmental impact.
How to Prepare:
- Evaluate the recycled content of your packaging materials, especially plastic hangers and footwear packaging.
- If your current packaging uses virgin plastic, consider replacing it with high-quality recycled materials.
- Work with GRS accredited suppliers that can provide certified recycled content to ensure compliance.
The UK Plastics Pact: Meeting 2025 Targets
The UK Plastics Pact brings together businesses and governments to reduce plastic waste through four main targets:
- Eliminate problematic plastic packaging through redesign or reuse.
- Ensure that 100% of plastic packaging is recyclable, reusable, or compostable.
- Achieve a 70% recycling rate for plastic packaging.
- Use 30% recycled content across all plastic packaging.
Members must ensure their plastic packaging, including hangers, meets these targets. By 2025, all businesses involved in packaging must contribute to these objectives or face regulatory scrutiny and consumer backlash.
How to Prepare
- Review your packaging portfolio to ensure everything is recyclable or made from recycled content.
- Work with your supply chain to redesign or replace packaging materials that are non-compliant.
- Start implementing systems that track and report your sustainability efforts to avoid penalties and boost your reputation with eco-conscious consumers.
How Phineas Can Help
With years of expertise in plastics and their varying properties and recyclability, we are uniquely positioned to support our customers in navigating existing and upcoming regulations. Our commitment to innovation ensures that our product range not only complies with sustainability standards but also maintains the exceptional quality we are known for. Whether you have questions about the recycled content in our hangers, need guidance on end-of-life solutions, or are considering if your footwear collection could transition to cardboard hangers, our team is here to help. Get in touch today—we’d love to discuss how we can support your sustainability goals!
Sources
Environmental Agency – EPR Updates: EPR and packaging compliance
The Plastic Packaging Tax: Understand the Plastic Packaging Tax