The FPA Friday Digest

Defra delays mandatory plastic film collections until 2030

Defra has postponed the introduction of mandatory kerbside collections of plastic film under Simpler Recycling by three years, with the requirement now expected to come into force on 01 April 2030 instead of 31 March 2027.

In a letter received by the FPA and other stakeholders, Defra said the decision followed extensive engagement with the sector and reflected concerns that the UK's collection, sorting and reprocessing system is "not yet ready to deliver plastic film recycling collections effectively at scale". Officials said the delay would avoid placing additional burdens on local authorities, businesses and the wider sector during a period of significant transition.

The postponement applies only to the statutory requirement for local authorities and other waste collectors to collect plastic film for recycling. Businesses and councils that are already collecting or reprocessing plastic film are encouraged to continue doing so on a voluntary basis, while authorities negotiating new waste contracts are advised to take the revised timetable into account.

Defra said it remains committed to increasing plastic film recycling and will use the intervening period to work with industry on the changes needed to support implementation in 2030. Stakeholders will be convened in autumn 2026 to help develop the next phase of the programme.

FPA comment: "The decision reflects the practical reality that successful recycling depends not only on collection requirements but also on having sufficient sorting and reprocessing infrastructure in place. Delaying mandatory collections is a pragmatic response to current market conditions, but the additional time must now be used to accelerate investment across the recycling value chain so plastic film collections can be introduced successfully and deliver the intended environmental benefits".

Defra to consult on future UK alignment with PPWR

Defra has confirmed it plans to launch a consultation early next year on the UK's future alignment with the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), providing the clearest indication yet of when businesses can expect to shape the UK's long-term approach.

Speaking at the latest Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Engagement Forum, officials reiterated that PPWR will apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, subject to agreed exclusions including pEPR, Deposit Return Schemes and reuse obligations.

One of the first practical issues will be harmonised waste-sorting labels. Defra said the European Commission is expected to publish the relevant Implementing Act on 12 August 2026, with common labelling then expected to become mandatory across the EU and Northern Ireland from August 2028. Existing national schemes, including OPRL labelling in Northern Ireland, would subsequently need to be withdrawn.

Asked about the implications for packaging sold across England, Scotland and Wales, Defra said it is "exploring options" and will review the Implementing Act once published before providing further guidance to stakeholders.

The planned consultation is expected to consider how closely the UK should align with future EU packaging requirements while balancing domestic policy objectives and the practical needs of businesses trading across both the UK and EU markets.

Environment Agency publishes latest packaging data

The Environment Agency pubished updated aggregated UK packaging data on 15 July, providing the latest overview of packaging reported through the producer responsibility system.

Large producers reported 10.82 million tonnes of packaging supplied in 2025, with paper/card accounting for 4.63 million tonnes, plastic 2.11 million tonnes and glass 2.09 million tonnes. The EA data also estimates a UK total recycling obligation for 2026 of 7.49 million tonnes, including 3.57 million tonnes for paper/card, 1.59 million tonnes for glass and 1.20 million tonnes for plastic.

Of the 4.25 million tonnes assessed, around 75% was rated green, 8% amber and 16% red. However, plastic flexibles show a very different profile, with only 1.8% rated green and around 65% rated red.

The published data is expected to inform future modelling of pEPR disposal fees and provides one of the first comprehensive datasets against which future packaging trends can be measured.

FPA comment: "The figures reinforce the importance of robust packaging data, consistent RAM assessment and continued investment in collection, sorting and reprocessing infrastructure if future fee modulation is to deliver its intended environmental outcomes. They also reinforce Defra’s recent parliamentary answer that packaging data is collected by category and material type, rather than at individual product level".

The full data can be accessed via this link

Defra working "at pace" on non-household packaging charges

Defra has acknowledged concerns that producers may be paying pEPR disposal fees for packaging used in hospitality and other commercial settings, where businesses already fund waste collection.

Responding to a parliamentary question, environment minister Mary Creagh said officials are working “at pace” with stakeholders on the treatment of dual-use packaging and packaging unlikely to enter the household waste stream. She cautioned that any changes would need to be workable, enforceable and preserve the scheme’s integrity across different business models.

HMRC outlines April 2027 PPT changes

HMRC has issued a reminder of two confirmed changes to Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) that will take effect from 01 April 2027, alongside a separate consultation on how mechanically recycled content may need to be evidenced in future.

From April 2027:

• Businesses will be able to use an approved mass-balance approach when calculating chemically recycled plastic towards the 30% recycled-content threshold.
• Only plastic derived from post-consumer waste will count as recycled content for PPT purposes.

The mass-balance change will apply only to chemically recycled plastic covered by an appropriate certification scheme. It will not apply to mechanically recycled plastic, for which businesses must continue to retain evidence of the material’s source and inclusion.

Pre-consumer material may still be used in packaging, but will no longer count towards the 30% threshold. HMRC has advised businesses holding stocks intended to support recycled-content claims to use them before the new rules take effect.

Separately, government is consulting on whether mechanically recycled plastic should require mandatory certification before businesses can claim PPT exemption. The consultation considers fraud and error risks, business costs, how certification could work in practice and possible implementation timings.

The consultation closes on 10 August 2026. Read the PPT record-keeping guidance and use the button below to respond to the consultation.

PackUK confirms fee modulation consultation planned for later this year

Government has confirmed PackUK intends to launch a call for evidence later this year on the future development of pEPR fee modulation.

Responding to a parliamentary question from Peter Fortune MP, ministers said the exercise would help inform how disposal fees evolve as the scheme matures. They also cautioned that direct comparisons with packaging EPR fees in other countries can be misleading because schemes differ in scope, the treatment of drinks containers and the costs they recover.

The call for evidence will provide businesses with an opportunity to influence the future design of eco-modulated fees before differential charging is introduced.modulation before differential fees are introduced.

PackUK confirms late data changes will not alter first disposal-fee notices

PackUK told the Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Engagement Forum that while the extended resubmission window allows businesses to correct errors in previously submitted data, amendments made after the 01 September deadline will not affect the disposal fees shown on producers' initial Notices of Liability. Officials also confirmed Notices of Liability will be issued shortly after final data has been processed.

PackUK begins shaping RAM 2028

PackUK has confirmed that development of future versions of the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) is already underway. Priorities include better reflecting UK recycling infrastructure, reviewing take-back guidance, considering additional automatic Red classifications and learning from international approaches to recyclability assessment.

UK carton recycling moves overseas as domestic processing line closes

The closure of the cartons line at Sonoco's Stainland mill means the UK is no longer reprocessing used beverage cartons domestically, with material now being exported to facilities in Germany, France and Spain.

The development comes just days after the Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK) announced that 322 of the UK's 361 local authorities (89%) now collect cartons for recycling, reflecting the early impact of Simpler Recycling and the introduction of mandatory kerbside collections in England.

ACE UK said the closure resulted from a change in Sonoco's business operations and stressed that cartons should continue to be placed in household recycling bins as normal. The organisation has secured alternative reprocessing capacity in Western Europe while discussions continue with UK paper mills about developing new domestic carton pulping facilities.

However, the move has prompted concern that collection infrastructure is now outpacing UK reprocessing capacity. The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) has called on PackUK and Defra to review pEPR payments to ensure councils are fully compensated for any additional collection, sorting and export costs incurred while cartons are sent overseas for recycling.

FPA comment: "The development highlights the wider challenge facing the UK's circular economy – increasing collection rates is only one part of the equation, with sustained investment in domestic reprocessing infrastructure also needed if materials are to be recycled closer to where they are collected".

Digital waste tracking moves a step closer

Defra has confirmed that legislation establishing Digital Waste Tracking is due to come into force on 01 October 2026, when all permitted waste receiving sites in England and Wales will be required to report waste received through the new digital reporting service.

Scotland and Northern Ireland are expected to follow from 01 January 2027.

Defra also confirmed that dedicated support will be available through the Digital Waste Tracking Helpdesk as businesses prepare for implementation.

Industry chairs appointed to steer Packaging Pact priorities

WRAP has appointed five industry figures to chair the Packaging Pact’s expert groups, covering packaging optimisation, reuse and refill, circular infrastructure investment, data harmonisation, and films and flexibles. The groups will now develop workplans and roadmaps for each priority, with their chairs also joining the Pact’s Advisory Board. WRAP says work is already progressing on an updated films and flexibles strategy and design guidance, engagement with HMRC on Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), and a plastics-infrastructure report due later this year. Read more here

California dairy sector seeks flexibility under EPR

California's dairy industry has become one of the first sectors to seek temporary flexibility under the state's landmark packaging EPR law, arguing food safety requirements limit the packaging alternatives currently available.

The Oregon programme is being watched closely as one of the first US packaging EPR schemes to move from policy design into operational delivery.

UK

Circular Online: Defra increases maximum fine for fly-tipping to £5,000 from previous limit of £1,000. Read more here

Packaging News: PackUK notes 'positive initial pEPR trends' in recyclability push. Read more here

letsrecycle.com: Digital Waste Tracking – convicted exporter among Defra-listed software providers. Read more here

Circular Online: Defra increases maximum fine for fly-tipping to £5,000 from previous limit of £1,000. Read more here

Packaging News: PackUK notes 'positive initial pEPR trends' in recyclability push. Read more here

Packaging News: Data shows any packaging producers are still struggling with recyclability. Read more here

EUROPE

Plastics Information Europe: German upper house of parliament approves Packaging Act. Read more here

Reuters: Why reusable packaging is returning to the regulatory and commercial agenda. Read more here

European Recycling Platform: Packaging EPR or small producers – 2026 reporting obligations. Read more here

Packaging Europe: How are big brands working with plastic packaging in 2026? Read more here

Food and Drink Technology: Amcor warns beverage sector to prepare for reuse. Read more here

INTERNATIONAL

SFGate: California's dairy industry panics over August recycling deadline. Read more here

Webinar to explain RAM 2027 changes

With the publication of PackUK's updated Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM 2027), Valpak is hosting a dedicated webinar for Packaging Federation members to explain what has changed and what it means for producers.

Building on Version 1.1, RAM 2027 is intended to improve the clarity and usability of the methodology while strengthening the link between recyclability ratings and the UK's real-world collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure. The methodology underpins the red, amber and green recyclability ratings that will influence packaging disposal fees under the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme.

The webinar takes place on Thursday 23 July at 1:00 p.m. and will explore the key changes introduced in RAM 2027, how they should be applied in practice and the implications for producers as they prepare for future fee modulation.

The link to join the webinar can be accessed via the button below. The meeting ID is 390 832 518 269 034 and the passcode is 9br7k7p5