It’s official, the UK is getting serious when it comes to glass packaging. Despite the fact that the country already recycles around 74-76.5% of all glass, EPR is set to enhance the effectiveness of mindful waste management. If handled correctly, this will promote a healthy circular economy. However, for companies that don’t comply, costly repercussions will be coming their way.

Keep reading to learn how EPR aims to reduce environmental impacts and what effect this has on glass packaging.

What Is the UK’s EPR Scheme?

The EPR Scheme officially takes effect in the UK as of April 2025, meaning manufacturers have additional responsibility for managing the responsibility of waste management. The purpose of the scheme is to shift responsibility from local authorities to producers. This means that organisations that supply glass packaging are required to pay additional fees based on market outputs of different types of glass. The idea was that packaging that is sustainable and eco-friendly would be given less of a fee to pay as the expectation would be  that these items can be recycled and reused more easily.

How Does EPR Impact Glass Packaging?

EPR means that any glass packaging, from wine bottles to food containers, must be made from eco-friendly materials to be eligible for lower production fees. If sufficient changes are not made to glass packaging, negative impacts will include increased costs for producers, higher consumer prices, an unfair proportion of responsibility for producers and businesses, plus a potential for job losses for some UK glass manufacturers who don’t offer sustainable solutions.

However, there are also plenty of positives, which is why the scheme has been enforced. These include:

• An opportunity to switch to sustainable packaging, which eco-minded consumers will appreciate. This will enhance appeal and improve competitiveness for brands.
• The promotion of a circular economy, as a result of the scheme, will also reduce waste and ensure packaging is better suited to be reused. Another associated benefit is less landfill waste, which will positively impact the environment in many ways.
• For businesses that choose sustainable packaging, benefits such as reduced tax liabilities and lower production fees will be available.
• Lastly, companies are given a chance to innovate in a way that could see them become leaders in the world of glass packaging. This means not only will customers see certain companies as trusted suppliers, but it also means that more efficient solutions can be created, potentially allowing opportunities for design-patenting.

Why Choose Croxsons To Help Navigate the EPR Scheme?

As sustainability-focused glass suppliers, we have focused on environmentally friendly products since our early days. This is ideal for companies looking to carefully navigate EPR regulations. All of our products are designed with focus being placed on durability and the latest industry standards, and this new regulation is no different.

Whether you’re seeking a way to source standard designs that are made from high quality glass, or looking to design a bespoke packaging solution that is EPR compliant, we have got you covered. Contact our team to learn more about our solutions for designing and manufacturing eco-friendly packaging for food and drink products.