The UK’s packaging landscape is set for a major shift in 2026, as businesses that produce, import, or supply packaging will become financially responsible for the end-of-life recycling of their products. Known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), this policy aims to reduce waste, improve recycling rates, and place the cost of recycling squarely on the organisations that create packaging. For packaging producers, importers, and brand owners, understanding the new fees, reporting obligations, and co ...

The UK’s retail giant John Lewis Partnership has revealed that the country’s new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging levy has contributed to a substantial first-half loss, highlighting the growing financial and operational impact of packaging regulations. With packaging now directly affecting profitability, the news offers a warning to global packaging and retail stakeholders: sustainability compliance is no longer optional—it is a material cost driver. The UK EPR regime: key facts The UK’s ...