Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging: What Ecommerce Retailers Need to Know

EPR for packaging requires businesses to report on the volumes of packaging they introduce into the household waste stream.

Some 3.5B packages are shipped annually in the UK - and ecommerce accounts for the lion's share of this. Most of these packages are single-use - and whether recycled or not, they represent a significant cost to society.

The UK Government is looking to cover this cost by levying a charge on the “producer” (ie the entity responsible for introducing the packaging into the household waste stream in the first place). Enter Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging – a regulatory framework shaking up how businesses handle their packaging waste. If you're an ecommerce retailer navigating this terrain, here are the five key insights you need to know.

1. EPR: What It Means for You

EPR for packaging demands that UK organizations supplying or importing packaging take charge of their recycling responsibilities. If you find yourself in this category, brace yourself for some data reporting. Whether you're a household name or a burgeoning startup, if your annual turnover hits £1 million or more and you were responsible for over 25 tonnes of packaging in 2022, you're in the frame. But fret not, the fees for EPR have been deferred until 2025, giving you a breather to get acquainted with the rules.

2. Who's Affected? Understanding Packaging Activities

To know if EPR applies to you, understand your packaging activities. If you supply packaged goods, put goods into packaging, or import products in packaging, you're in the spotlight. Even owning an online marketplace or loaning out reusable packaging pulls you into the EPR arena. It's not just about what you sell but how you package it and the journey your packaging takes post-sale.

3. The Nitty-Gritty of Reporting

EPR isn't just about nodding along to regulations; it's about active participation. For smaller organizations, recording data is the starting point. Even if you're not reporting yet, keeping tabs on your packaging journey is crucial. For larger players, it's not just about data; it's about creating accounts, paying fees, and ensuring compliance with reporting deadlines. And remember, accuracy is key – your packaging data needs to be on point every six months.

For a guide to collecting data for EPR for packaging, have a look here.

And don’t hesitate to lean on your packaging suppliers for support with this kind of thing. We expect the most clued-up suppliers will increasingly be able to furnish their customers with the data required by the EPR scheme - saving you a lot of the legwork around reporting and compliance.

4. Packaging Goes National

Packaging doesn't just stay put in one corner of your warehouse. It travels - and so do your responsibilities. If your packaging ventures across borders within the UK, you've got “nation data” to handle. This involves knowing where your packaging starts its journey and where it ends up. Whether it's supplying directly to UK customers or importing goods with packaging, tracking the national trail is imperative.

5. Embracing Compliance Schemes

Navigating EPR alone can be daunting, which is where compliance schemes come in handy. These third-party wizards can handle everything from registration fees to data reporting, easing the burden on your shoulders. While they can't foot the bill for waste management, they're your allies in the battle for packaging sustainability.

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In the dynamic world of ecommerce, embracing EPR for packaging isn't just about compliance – it's about sustainability, responsibility, and shaping a greener future.

There’s no doubt it’s a bit of a pain - just another thing to do in a never-ending to-do list for many businesses, big and small alike - but if it gets us all thinking a little more about the true (environmental) costs of our operations, then maybe it ain’t such a bad thing.