UK Government Agrees to Reassess Hospitality Packaging EPR Scheme

The UK government has agreed to reassess and explore an alternative approach to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme following persistent campaigning by UKHospitality. The current EPR rules classify certain hospitality packaging, such as beer and wine bottles and quick-service restaurant cardboard, as household waste, causing venues to pay recycling fees twice—once as an EPR charge passed on by suppliers and again for commercial waste disposal. In a roundtable meeting with Defra Minister Mary Creagh, the department committed to working with the hospitality sector to find a solution, aiming to implement changes by the second year of the scheme. UKHospitality has proposed exemptions for packaging supplied directly to hospitality businesses and exclusive wholesalers, and a mechanism to ensure EPR fees apply only to packaging sold for off-premises consumption. CEO Kate Nicholls welcomed Defra's engagement and urged suppliers not to pass on additional costs to operators, emphasizing the financial burden imposed on hospitality businesses. The trade body has also escalated concerns to the Prime Minister and Chancellor due to Defra's initial inaction and remains optimistic about resolving the issue promptly.