OPRL advises businesses to spend time wisely to avoid unnecessary EPR costs

Responding to the announcement of a [length of time here if available] delay to the roll-out of EPR, OPRL (On-Pack Recycling Label) cautions businesses not to rest on their laurels. Margaret Bates, Executive Director at OPRL, said: “The delay offers an opportunity for those ready to use the time constructively. Those which prepare now will benefit from lower fee costs and show a strong brand response.

“EPR is designed to drive recyclability and all the associated benefits. It is spreading across the globe and will affect large businesses across their portfolio. For the UK it is important to recognise it as direction of travel, rather than a stand-alone piece of legislation. Recent OPRL research showed that, despite the cost of living crisis, consumers are behind recycling – 81% agreed that recycling is very important. With or without EPR, consumers are likely to call for greater recyclability.”

In the consumer survey, the environment was the number one prompted motivation behind recycling. This has significantly increased as a prompted reason since 2021, as consumers become more committed to recycling for the planet, rather than to feel good. 

Under EPR, every single piece of packaging must be labelled to show whether or not it can be recycled. OPRL – which manages the only label currently compliant with EPR rules – advises businesses to begin as soon as possible to ensure that packaging is recyclable and that it has the correct label on. Bates said: “The labelling requirements under EPR include even the smallest items like tags and cable ties. Businesses need to assess whether packaging items are recyclable and arrange new labelling. For some, this will be a significant task, so it is crucial that work starts well before the deadline.”  

Bates concluded: “The key message is to prepare, prepare, prepare! The risks associated with being ready – and finding legislation delayed still further – are minor when compared with the risks of arriving at EPR unprepared[CC1] .”

 [CC1]This para may need adjusting depending on the details of the delay when announced

Ends

Editors notes

• OPRL Ltd operates the UK-wide On-Pack Recycling Label scheme used by over 750 member companies and charities. It is the leading independent expert in packaging recyclability, providing recycling and refill labels – and advice – to 95 per cent of the UK groceries market.

• OPRL is an independent, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, established to help retailers and brands engage their customers in recycling.

• The company’s guarantors span ACE UK, Alupro, British Glass, CPI, INCPEN, LARAC, MPMA and RECOUP.

• OPRL was launched in 2009, as a not-for-profit limited by guarantee as part of the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The move followed work between BRC, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and their leading members, and WRAP. The aim was to devise a labelling system that would engage consumers with recycling, as local authorities started to roll out basic services. Three of the founding directors are still on our board.