If you handle packaging — whether you're an ecommerce seller, a manufacturer, or a distributor — the rules around what you're responsible for changed significantly in 2025. The UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme is now fully in force, and for many businesses it means higher costs, new reporting obligations, and a real financial incentive to switch to more recyclable packaging materials.
This guide explains what EPR is, who it applies to, how the fees work, and what practical steps you can take to reduce your exposure.
What is EPR for packaging?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a government policy that shifts the cost of dealing with packaging waste from local councils — and by extension, taxpayers — onto the businesses that put that packaging into the market in the first place.
Under the old Packaging Waste Regulations (which ran from 1997 until recently), businesses contributed indirectly to recycling costs by purchasing Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs). The new EPR system goes further: larger producers now pay fees that cover the full cost of collecting, sorting, and recycling household packaging waste — fees calculated on the type and weight of packaging they place on the market, and modulated based on how recyclable those materials are.
The short version: if you use packaging that ends up in household bins, you're likely to be paying more than you were before, and how much more depends partly on the materials you choose.
Who does EPR apply to?
EPR applies to UK businesses that supply or import packaging — but the obligations vary depending on your size.
Large producers are businesses with an annual turnover of £2 million or more that handle more than 50 tonnes of packaging per year. These businesses must register with the Environment Agency (or relevant devolved regulator), report detailed packaging data twice a year, purchase PRNs, and pay the new EPR waste management fees.
Small producers are businesses with a turnover of £1 million or more that handle more than 25 tonnes of packaging per year. Small producers must register and report their packaging data, but currently only pay PRN costs — not the full EPR waste management fees.
Exempt businesses — if your turnover is under £1 million, or you handle less than 25 tonnes of packaging per year, you are currently exempt from EPR obligations. You don't need to register or report.
If you're not sure which category you fall into, the starting point is to add up the weight of all packaging you've supplied or imported over the past 12 months. This includes the boxes, bags, tape, void fill, and any other materials used to pack and ship your products.
How are EPR fees calculated?
EPR fees are charged per tonne of packaging placed on the market, with rates set by the government for each material type. The exact fee depends on two things: what the material is, and how recyclable it is.
Packaging is assessed against a recyclability framework with three ratings — green, amber, and red:
- Green — widely recyclable; lowest fees
- Amber — recyclable in some areas but not universally collected
- Red — difficult or not currently recyclable; highest fees
This means that two businesses placing the same weight of packaging on the market can face very different EPR bills depending on their material choices. A business using cardboard boxes and paper void fill will pay significantly less than one using hard-to-recycle plastics or composite materials.
The practical implication is straightforward: switching to more recyclable packaging isn't just better for the environment, it directly reduces your EPR costs.
What reporting is required?
Large and small producers must report their packaging data to the Environment Agency (in England) or the relevant devolved authority in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland. You'll need to report:
- The weight of each type of packaging you've supplied or imported
- The material type (cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminium, etc.)
- Whether it's household or non-household packaging
- The recyclability assessment for each material
Reporting deadlines run twice a year. The data you report is used to calculate your fee liability, so accurate record-keeping is important — underreporting can result in fines, and overreporting means you pay more than you need to.
If you're a large producer, you'll also need to join an approved compliance scheme or register directly with the regulator.
What can you do to reduce your EPR exposure?
There are a few practical levers available:
Switch to recyclable materials. This is the most direct route to lower fees. Cardboard boxes, paper mailing bags, paper tape, and paper void fill all attract lower EPR charges than plastic equivalents. Our eco-friendly packaging range covers paper-based alternatives across most packaging categories.
Right-size your packaging. Fees are charged by weight, so using less packaging — or lighter packaging — directly reduces your liability. Switching from double wall to single wall boxes where the product allows, or using size-adjustable boxes rather than oversized ones, can make a meaningful difference across large volumes.
Reduce void fill. If you're using a lot of void fill to compensate for boxes that are too large, right-sizing your boxes eliminates that waste at source. Paper void fill is also a lower-fee alternative to plastic air pillows where you do need to fill space.
Keep accurate records. If you're a large producer, better data means a more accurate fee calculation. Businesses that have historically estimated their packaging volumes often find they've been overreporting — and overpaying.
EPR and your packaging supplier
One thing worth knowing: EPR obligations generally fall on the business that supplies the packaged goods to customers — not on the packaging supplier. So if you buy boxes from Datec and use them to ship your products, the EPR obligation sits with you, not with us.
That said, we're in a good position to help you think through material choices and quantities. We've been supplying packaging across manufacturing, distribution, and ecommerce for over 20 years, and we're increasingly helping customers navigate the switch to more recyclable alternatives — not just because of EPR, but because it's the direction the market is moving.
You can find out more on our EPR packaging page, or take a look at our sustainable packaging range if you're thinking about making changes.
Need help working out your options?
EPR is genuinely complicated, and the right answer looks different depending on what you sell, how much you ship, and what materials you currently use. If you'd like a practical conversation about your packaging setup — not a sales pitch — give us a call on 02476 611234 or get in touch online.
Related: Eco-Friendly Packaging Range | Sustainable Packaging | Paper Void Fill | EPR Packaging Page