Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to postpone the introduction of modulated fees under Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging until measurable improvements have been delivered in local authority packaging collection and recycling systems.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
As required under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024, from 2026/27 onwards, The Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) fees will be modulated to ensure that packaging materials that are less recyclable incur higher fees, and packaging materials which are more recyclable incur lower fees. The fee modulation policy will be reviewed every 3 years. PackUK, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme administrator, is working closely with local authorities to ensure the efficient and effective management of household packaging waste.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what evidence they have that the introduction of modulated Extended Producer Responsibility fees will improve packaging recycling rates in the absence of reform to local collection and recycling infrastructure.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging is part of this Government’s broader Collection and Packaging Reforms, including Simpler Recycling and the Deposit Return Scheme (due to launch in October 2027). These reforms together shift the financial burden of recycling household packaging from the public purse to producers and incentivise more efficient and effective recycling systems to push up levels of recycling across the country. The Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) funding from year 1 of the scheme has already been distributed to Local Authorities providing additional funding to deliver Simpler Recycling reforms across England, ensuring that people can recycle the same materials, whether at home, work or school.
From year 2 of EPR (2026/27) onwards, fees will be modulated to ensure that packaging materials that are less recyclable incur higher fees and packaging materials which are more recyclable incur lower fees, incentivising industry to transition towards more recyclable material. PackUK, the EPR scheme administrator, is working closely with local authorities to ensure the efficient and effective management of household packaging waste.
Asked by: Lord Hunt of Wirral (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Packaging Recovery Note system in investment in the UK recycling infrastructure and recycling rates; and whether they plan to reform or abolish that system.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Packaging Waste Recycling Note (PRN) system has supported an increase in packaging waste recycling rates from 45% in 2003 to 64.7% in 2023 and has continued to support delivery of recycling targets.
The system generated £322m in revenue from the sale of PRN/PERNs in 2025. Reprocessors and exporters accredited to issue PRN/PERNs are required to report on how they have used this revenue to help build increased capacity across the recycling sector as part of their business plan.
A consultation on reforms to the PRN system has recently closed. Defra officials will review the responses and decide on next steps shortly.