The UK government has launched PackUK on January 21 to manage its new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging waste. The program shifts the financial and operational responsibility for packaging waste management from taxpayers and local authorities to businesses that use and supply packaging, embodying the “polluter pays” principle.

PackUK will oversee the implementation of the UK’s new EPR for packaging (pEPR) program, following the formal introduction of the EPR Statutory Instrument on January 1. The initiative is expected to significantly transform recycling efforts across the country. According to a statement from Defra, the packaging reforms—alongside initiatives like Simpler Recycling in England and the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers—are forecasted to stimulate an estimated £10 billion (US$12.2 billion) in investment over the next decade. The reforms will also create up to 21,000 new jobs in England alone.

The government is working closely with packaging producers to explore ways of enhancing business involvement in the scheme, including the establishment of a new Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). To ensure broad industry engagement, Defra has initiated a co-design process to further develop the PRO, collaborating with the Food and Drink Federation’s PRO Steering Group, local authorities, and other value chain representatives.

The pEPR scheme is designed to support a circular economy, improving the sustainability of packaging and reducing environmental impacts. According to Defra, the scheme will stimulate investment in recycling infrastructure, create green jobs, and contribute significantly to the UK’s Net Zero targets. By 2037, the packaging reforms are expected to cut emissions from landfills by an estimated 32 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent.

PackUK’s approach to packaging waste management draws on international best practices, modernizing the UK’s recycling efforts and ensuring compliance with global sustainability standards. The reforms align with the UK’s broader goals of reducing landfill waste, enhancing recycling processes, and fostering a more sustainable economy.

PackUK will formally highlight the launch of the scheme at Packaging Innovations Birmingham, taking place on February 12–13. The event will feature expert speakers and industry figures, including Seb Munden, former CEO of Unilever, who will host the opening session on the central circular economy stage. Other notable speakers will include Emma Bourne, David McPhee, Rhodri Asby, and Shane Doris, representing key sectors in the packaging industry.

The UK’s Minister for Nature, Mary Creagh, will also attend the event, chairing a panel discussing the pEPR scheme’s goals and the collaboration between PackUK and stakeholders to ensure its success. This event will provide a platform for industry leaders to discuss the potential of the new scheme to reshape the future of packaging and waste management in the UK.