The Government published an updated assessment in October 2024 of the impact of introducing packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) on packaging producers as a whole. That assessment did not provide a separate assessment of impacts on the hospitality sector.

We are aware of concerns about packaging that is disposed of through commercial waste streams and continue to work with stakeholders on this issue.

pEPR payments are intended to support and fund the efficient and effective management of household packaging waste by local authorities. Commercial waste collection and recycling arrangements sit outside the purpose of those payments.

The Department has considered the design of similar schemes in European countries as pEPR has been developed in the UK. However, direct comparisons of fee levels can be misleading because schemes differ in scope, in how drinks containers are treated, and how waste management costs are reflected.

In the UK, fees are calculated to reflect the real costs faced by local authorities. The methodology uses weight and estimated packaging volume, alongside other costs associated with collection, treatment and disposal.

PackUK plan to launch a Call for Evidence this year to inform future approaches to fee modulation.

The Department has considered the design of similar schemes in European countries as pEPR has been developed in the UK. However, direct comparisons of fee levels can be misleading because schemes differ in scope, in how drinks containers are treated, and how waste management costs are reflected.

In the UK, fees are calculated to reflect the real costs faced by local authorities. The methodology uses weight and estimated packaging volume, alongside other costs associated with collection, treatment and disposal.

PackUK plan to launch a Call for Evidence this year to inform future approaches to fee modulation.

Under the scheme, obligations are based on packaging placed on the market and statutory thresholds, rather than business model. Producers are exempt from disposal fee and recycling obligations where they have annual turnover below £2 million and place less than 50 tonnes of packaging on the market. Defra keeps the thresholds and wider operation of the scheme under review as it is implemented. We are not currently considering a change to the status of social enterprises within the scheme.

Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) shifts the cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers to the producers who place packaging on the market. It funds local authorities and incentivises producers to reduce packaging and use packaging that is easier to recycle.

Producer obligations are determined by turnover and packaging tonnage, rather than business model. Producers are exempt from disposal fee and recycling obligations where they have annual turnover below £2 million and place less than 50 tonnes of packaging on the market.

Defra keeps the thresholds and wider impacts of the scheme under review as it is implemented.

Local authorities do not play a role in the compliance and enforcement of Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR). PEPR is regulated by the Environment Agency in England and by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Natural Resources Wales and Northern Ireland Environment Agency in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland respectively.

The pEPR regulations contain a de-minimis threshold of £2 million turnover and 50 tonnes of packaging handled, to avoid placing disproportionate burden on small businesses.

A broad range of enforcement options are available, including civil sanctions, to support a fair and effective system. We are working closely with the regulators to monitor compliance with pEPR and will keep this under regular review.

In October 2024, the Government published an updated assessment of the impact of introducing the pEPR scheme on packaging producers as a whole, pre base fees calculation. This assessment did not split the assessment by material sector impact. Since, Defra and PackUK have engaged extensively with waste management experts and the packaging industry across all materials to ensure that the modelling of local authority costs underpinning the pEPR scheme base fees fairly reflects the costs on-the-ground in reality of waste management operations. From year 2 of EPR (2026/27) onwards, fees will be modulated to ensure that less recyclable packaging materials incur higher fees, and more recyclable packaging materials incur lower. The fee modulation policy will be reviewed every 3 years.

Under pEPR, a fibre-based composite material is paper or card which has a plastic content, usually in the form of laminated layers which cannot be separated by hand, of more than 5%. This category distinguishes packaging with layers of plastic from paper and card packaging, supporting clearer producer reporting and fee calculations. The 5% plastic layer threshold was introduced to improve clarity, support alignment with reporting in Northern Ireland, and encourage continued progress towards reducing non-fibre content in the paper and card waste stream. PackUK reviews all categories and sub-categories on an annual basis, against the environmental outcomes of the scheme.

The Secretary of State has discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of issues, including packaging Extended Producer Responsibility’s impact on businesses. We are aware of industry concerns about producers being charged disposal fees for packaging that is disposed of through commercial waste streams, and we continue to work with stakeholders to find an approach that balances those concerns with the operational integrity of the scheme.

We are continuing to work with stakeholders on the treatment of dual-use packaging and packaging that is unlikely to enter the household waste stream. There is no date set for consultation or legislation at this stage for any additional criteria for exemption from packaging Extended Producer Responsibility disposal fee obligations. Any future changes would need to be workable, enforceable, and protect the operational integrity of the scheme across all business models.

The Government’s assessment is that the single-use carrier bag charge has been highly effective in reducing the use of single-use plastic bags in England. Since the charge was introduced in 2015, sales of single-use plastic carrier bags sold by the main supermarket retailers have fallen by almost 98%, a reduction from 7.6 billion bags in 2014 to 164 million in 2024/25.

The charge has also helped reduce the littering of plastic bags. Reports from the Marine Conservation Society indicate a fall from an average of 13 bags found on beaches in 2013 to just 3 in 2021.

In May 2021, the Government increased the minimum charge from 5p to 10p and extended it to all retailers to reinforce this progress and create a level playing field across the sector.

The Government remains committed to moving to a circular economy for plastics and will continue to take a systematic, evidence-based approach to reducing unnecessary single-use plastics and encouraging reuse solutions. We will continue to review the latest evidence on single-use plastic carrier bags.

Local Authorities are responsible for the provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in their area. Householders must be allowed to deposit waste deemed to be ‘household waste’ for free. Where waste does not meet the criteria for being classified as household waste, such as construction waste, then the waste local authorities may charge for this. WRAP provided updated HWRC guidance in March 2025. There is currently no intention to carry out a further review of guidance or legislation. [The Government would encourage local authorities to consider ease of access and availability of services for residents when determining service provision.]

Incorporating impairment provisions for bad debt in a cost recovery scheme is an expected consideration of Government, as detailed in Managing Public Money guidelines, and is common practice when setting fees. Whilst Notice of Liabilities issued under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme are due for payment after 50 calendar days, liable producers have the facility to pay in quarterly instalments. These impairment provisions can only be used for specific purposes and will be subject to regular scrutiny and review. To minimise impairment and provide transparency, PackUK intends to collect debt rigorously but fairly and will review the impairment provision at least quarterly. Where the impairment provision isn’t fully utilised liable producers will be given a refund.

The impairment provision is based on the bad debt experience of Defra with charging schemes that are most similar to pEPR, whilst taking into consideration the large values of some of our Notice of Liabilities.

Local authorities have had the option to charge households for a garden waste and bulky waste collections since 1992, as per the Controlled Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2012.

From 31 March 2026, local authorities are required to provide a garden waste collection service, which meets the new requirements set out in amended section 45A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to households where it is requested. As per the Controlled Waste (England & Wales) Regulations 2012, they can continue to charge for garden waste services if they choose. Householders will be able to make their own decision about whether they wish to use this service or make other arrangements to dispose of their garden waste.

The previous Government consulted in 2021 on proposals to require waste collection authorities to introduce a free minimum garden waste collection service. However, as set out in the government’s response published in October 2023, the economic and environmental case is not strong enough to proceed with this proposal.

We believe that other Government policies, such as the requirement to collect food waste weekly, now offer higher carbon savings per pound spent than this policy. This includes the far higher savings associated with introducing weekly food waste collections

Incorporating impairment provisions for bad debt in a cost recovery scheme is an expected consideration of Government as detailed in Managing Public Money guidelines and is common practice when setting fees. Additionally, Managing Public Money guidelines advise that cross subsidies are not standard practice.

Incorporating impairment provisions for bad debt in a cost recovery scheme is an expected consideration of Government as detailed in Managing Public Money guidelines and is common practice when setting fees. Whilst Notice of Liabilities issued under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme are due for payment after 50 calendar days, liable producers have the facility to pay in quarterly instalments. These impairment provisions can only be used for specific purposes and will be subject to regular scrutiny and review. Where the impairment provision isn’t fully utilised, liable producers will be given a refund.

Defra has not made an assessment of local authority fees and charges for pest control services on the reporting of infestations by members of the public since 2015.

Where rats and mice are concerned, under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949, local authorities have a duty to deal with infestations regardless of any local fees and charges imposed. The Act makes local authorities responsible for ensuring that their districts are kept so far as practicable free from rats and mice.