British Glass has welcomed government plans to change packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) fees, including an exemption for certain glass packaging supplied directly to licensed hospitality venues.
The proposals also include an update to the material value assigned to glass packaging and plans to introduce higher modulation factors for less recyclable packaging materials from the third year of pEPR. The government will also issue calls for evidence on fee modulation and reuse, British Glass said.
The exemption is limited to certain glass packaging supplied directly to licensed hospitality venues, while the modulation factors would differentiate fees for less recyclable packaging materials. The material-value update would change the value assigned to glass in the fee calculation.
Fee design and material switching
British Glass said glass had faced a disproportionate share of pEPR costs because fees are calculated by weight rather than by the number of packaging units placed on the market. It said this had increased pressure on UK glass manufacturers from food and drink companies that purchase packaging by units, not weight, prompting material switching from glass to lighter packaging materials.
The organisation argues that a weight-based fee structure places a higher relative burden on heavier packaging formats, while buyers assess packaging costs by unit. British Glass said that mismatch had added to pressure on domestic glass producers and encouraged a shift toward lighter alternatives.
Nick Kirk, executive director of British Glass, said the government had listened and recognised the importance of maintaining a strong domestic glass industry. He said the proposed changes begin to address some unintended consequences of pEPR and better recognise the environmental benefits of glass. Kirk pointed to the planned update to glass material value, the proposed acceleration of modulation factors and the commitment to review future fee structures as steps toward a fairer system.
Hospitality exemption and implementation
Kirk said it was important to understand the full impact of the proposed exemption, but that it was encouraging that the government recognised challenges facing hospitality businesses and was taking steps to avoid unnecessary costs. He also welcomed the forthcoming calls for evidence on modulation and reuse.
British Glass noted that the reforms will not take effect until the scheme's third year, covering April 2027 to March 2028. The organisation said glass manufacturers continue to face pressure from high energy costs, international competition and uncertainty over future packaging policy.
Kirk said the announcement must be the start rather than the end of the process, adding that glass manufacturers are making decisions on investment, production and jobs now.
Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham, said the government had shown it means business on tackling harmful packaging materials and protecting UK glass manufacturing.