OPRL calls for clarity and stakeholder engagement ahead of EPR deadline

Responding to the announcement of a [length of time here if available] delay to the roll-out of EPR, OPRL (On-Pack Recycling Label) calls for government and stakeholders to make use of the time to deliver greater clarity and build on stakeholder engagement. 

Margaret Bates, Executive Director at OPRL and former president of CIWM, said: “While we are keen to see the implementation of EPR, this delay has the potential to offer producers and local authorities valuable time to budget and prepare. However, with such a radical overhaul of costs and systems, it is crucial that guidance is provided well in advance of the next deadline.

“Robust stakeholder engagement will also help to ensure successful implementation. While local authorities now know that consistency implementation will remain on course, they are still are waiting for clarity. Many brands are also keen for information on consistency to enable them to assess packaging materials and make relevant changes. This is a big change for every area of the supply chain, so the more support available from Defra, the better.

“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.”

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.