Valpak calls for full engagement in EPR consultation

The UK’s largest packaging compliance scheme, Valpak, has welcomed the opening of the government consultation on packaging extended producer responsibility and deposit return schemes, calling it a once in a generation chance to create a system designed for the world we live in today.

Steve Gough, CEO of Valpak said: “The policy that will result from this consultation represents the most significant change in the way we deal with waste packaging since the advent of the Packaging Waste Regulations in 1997. It will impact the entire supply chain, so we hope that all stakeholders will engage. 

“Valpak has invested all of its expertise in helping packaging producers prepare for becoming EPR-ready. We already know that collecting data will become more important than ever and, once we have had time to analyse the consultation in detail, we will be publishing a full assessment of the costs and impacts of the different options.  

“We are pleased to see that government is consulting on both a single scheme and competitive approaches for both the household and household-like waste, and the business waste elements of the new regimes, giving all stakeholders a choice and opportunity to put forward their thoughts on these options.

“The options are very much in line with Valpak’s thinking from our experience of operating within the UK and from some examples we see in other territories, where we also help producers with their packaging compliance and registrations.

“The consultation will form the UK’s new policy on extended producer responsibility, which includes a commitment to the funding by producers of the full net cost of packaging recycling.”

Ends

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 J Sainsbury’s, ASOS, and Miele, and manages compliance for more than 2,000 businesses. In 2017, it celebrated its 20th anniversary.

·      Valpak is a Reconomy Group company. Reconomy is the UK’s largest provider of outsourced resource management and recycling services. It works with customers of all sizes across industry sectors, using a technology-enabled, value-added approach to help businesses reach its sustainability goals. Following the acquisitions of Noventiz and RLG in Germany in 2020, adding further specialism in compliance and international product returns, the Reconomy Group’s aim is to become the leading global provider of services to drive the circular economy.

·      Valpak services include:

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

o   Data insights.

o   International compliance.

o   Recycling services (total waste management options and solutions for niche materials).

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.