Valpak welcomes Environment Agency pEPR enforcement decision

The UK’s largest compliance scheme, Valpak by Reconomy, has welcomed the Environment Agency (EA) announcement outlining its position around pEPR recyclability assessment reporting. The EA has confirmed that it will not undertake enforcement action against producers that struggle to submit pEPR recyclability assessments by the half year deadline, providing they report in time for the full year deadline.

George Atkinson, Director of Policy at Valpak, said: “This decision will make a huge difference to obligated businesses in England, which face a major reporting task. Valpak’s pEPR tools show that requirements have risen by 115 per cent compared to the previous system. Even with rapid online tools and automatic checks, the scale and urgency of demand is challenging for some. This timeline affords industry vital additional time, without disrupting PackUK's envisaged timeline for applying eco-modulation across FY2026/27.”

Under the data reporting system for pEPR, producers must classify their packaging materials in line with the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM). The RAM assesses the compatibility of packaging with waste collection, sortation and reprocessing infrastructure. This information will then be used to inform eco-modulation, which will see non-recyclable materials charged at a higher rate than those which can easily be recycled with current infrastructure.

To read the Environment Agency announcement in full, visit: Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) recyclability assessment obligations: RPS 350 - GOV.UK

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Editors notes

Valpak’s mission is to create a sustainable, waste-free world. We are driven, not by today. We are driven by tomorrow.

We help our clients to reduce waste and recycle more, continually innovating and using leading data science and expertise to inspire businesses, help push ourselves – and our industry – forward. We don’t just show our customers how to navigate waste regulations; we help them become more sustainable, through our ever-increasing capabilities and pioneering innovations.

Valpak is the largest environmental compliance scheme in the UK. We work with major names, such as Aldi, Tesco, ASOS, and Miele, and manages compliance for more than 2,000 businesses. In 2022, it celebrated its 25th anniversary.

Valpak is part of Reconomy, an international circular economy specialist that combines technology, skills and incredible people to build sustainability ‘loops’ that create circular opportunities for business. This is achieved through a tech enabled, people-powered approach that helps Reconomy’s customers to better manage their resources, reduce waste, optimise their supply chains, and contribute in a meaningful way towards the circular economy.

Valpak services include:

o   Compliance under Waste Packaging, WEEE, and Battery Directives.

o   Data insights.

o   International compliance.

o   Consultancy.

o   Accreditation under environmental schemes, such as Zero Waste to Landfill. 

Valpak invests in pioneering systems and expertise which enable its customers to analyse, assess and improve product design. The Product Data Hub, Insight Platform and dedicated teams work together to drive change.