UK Updates Guidance on Waste Disposal Fees for Large Packaging Producers

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On 28 October, PackUK, the administrator of the UK's packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme, together with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, updated the Guidance on Waste Disposal Fees for Large Packaging Producers, adding the calculation method for packaging waste fees, the distinction between estimated rates and final rates, and the payment requirements for businesses. The guidance applies to large producers that bear waste disposal costs under the UK's packaging extended producer responsibility scheme.

The guidance stipulates that large producers that report household packaging, packaging typically discarded in public bins, and household glass drinks containers must pay annual packaging waste disposal fees, while small producers are not subject to this fee. The fees are calculated based on the packaging weight reported by the business, the material category, and local authority waste management costs.

Starting with 2026 packaging data, differentiated fees apply to each packaging material category based on recyclability assessment results. Green-rated packaging is subject to a lower rate, amber-rated packaging to a baseline rate, and red-rated packaging to a higher rate. PackUK publishes estimated rates before the start of each assessment year and determines final rates based on packaging data and regulatory compliance information submitted by businesses.

For the 2026–2027 assessment year, the estimated rates show that plastic packaging is rated green, amber and red at £415, £455 and £545 per tonne respectively; paper and cardboard packaging at £190, £210 and £250; and aluminium packaging at £245, £270 and £325. The above figures are estimated fee rates; final fees are subject to confirmation by PackUK.

PackUK will issue fee liability notices to businesses through the packaging data reporting system at the end of each calendar year, setting out the waste disposal fee, public communications costs, scheme administration costs and other applicable items. The notice also specifies the amount of each instalment, the deadline, the late payment interest rate and the dedicated payment account.

Large producers must pay by the deadline specified in the notice. If a business fails to pay the current instalment for more than 50 days past the deadline, PackUK may charge interest on the unpaid amount and take enforcement measures, including variable-amount penalties. For businesses registered as a group, the holding company pays the fees, and the notice lists the amounts payable by each subsidiary separately.

PackUK may recalculate a business's fees due to updates to reported packaging data, errors in the original calculation, or changes in actual waste disposal costs, and issue a revised liability notice. Businesses whose fees are reduced may apply for a refund in accordance with the rules; current payment notices already received must still be fulfilled on time.