Repackaging The Packaging | A Guide from Valdamark Direct

Making reduce, reuse and recycle reliable.

Lets face it!

In America we throw out the rubbish without a great deal of thought . Despite the United States containing only 4.4% of the world’s population we are responsible for producing over 20% of the worlds trash. This is a lot!

The majority of which is plastic as well as glass & met pet packaging as well.

We all have a roll to play though. Trash that can be recycled is valuable. So we have a responsibility to ensure that value is captured and not just something that adds to the world’s pollution problems.

I suppose though there are different kinds of responsibility?

Let take a look at financial responsibility. Is it the metalised film company itself that should take responsibility? Or is it the retailers who sell it? Or maybe the cities and municipalities? Last but not least. Should it be the consumers who are making the buying decisions?

There have been a tsunami of laws and waste management regulations introduced around the globe in recent years.

Despite acknowledging they have an important role to play with these measures government must go further. Without their intervention industry will not change its behaviour willingly or at the necessary speed.

The problem is urgent and will require strict consequences for non-compliance. I am thinking fines & penalties as well as incentives. Their behaviors should then improve quickly & dramatically.

We know business is already having to comply with tonnes of government regulation, but in the interest of protecting consumers and the plant itself we think this can be fair as well.

In today world labelling of consumer and industrial goods is now the norm to clearly describe what it ingredients it contains.

From chemical products like indicating silica gel to certified organic foods and fair trade items.

A New Era for Packaging Waste Management

The Packaging Waste Regulations of 2023 became effective on February 28, 2023. These regulations mark a significant milestone in England's journey towards effective packaging waste management. They require producers to collect, summarise, and report detailed data. These data include volume and packaging types introduced to the market. This information is vital for calculating the fees for the forthcoming EPR or Extended Producer Responsibility.

Understanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)
This aims to shift the environmental accountability towards its producers. The manufacturers and producers bear all costs of collection to disposal when packaging turns to waste. This, in turn, incentivises producers to minimise waste.

Producers must pay EPR fees to local state authorities through a designated Scheme Administrator. These fees will be determined using the quantity of packaging supplied. However, the Producer Responsibility Regulations of 2023 will be implemented in December 2023.

The Foundation of EPR Implementation
The Regulations of 2023 set the implementation of the EPR for it to be successful. As of March 2023, producers in England must start collecting and reporting the required data. For those already possessing this data, the requirement took effect in January. This reported data plays a pivotal role in calculating the fees. Producers will need to pay, making it a cornerstone of EPR.

Under the old regulations, producers with a yearly £2 million turnover and more than 50 tons of packaging report data on their recycling efforts. However, the new regulations introduce several noteworthy changes. They expand the scope to a wider range of materials. The new regulations also change the reporting frequency. Instead of once, manufacturers now have to report twice a year.

Additionally, a minimum is defined. Producers with £1 million annual turnover and handling more than 25 tons but don’t exceed the ceiling threshold, will collect data but not report it. These modifications aim to capture a broader segment of producers and their packaging. They ensure a more comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility.

A Comprehensive Impact on the Packaging Supply Chain
These regulations resonate beyond the realm of packaging producers alone. They have a far-reaching impact across the entire packaging supply. They influence distributors, importers, and online marketplaces. The depth and breadth of their implications transcend the UK Packaging Tax. They affect an extensive set of materials and entities in the packaging industries.

These regulations serve as a crucial bridge between the existing framework and the upcoming EPR for the packaging scheme. They underscore the importance of accurate and timely data reporting. It is a key driver in achieving the goals of reducing packaging waste and promoting responsible management.

In the coming years, the full implementation of EPR promises to transform the landscape of packaging in England. It encourages manufacturers to adopt more eco-friendly practices, minimise waste, and enhance the recyclability of their packaging.

As the regulations continue to take shape, the packaging industry in England will evolve toward a greener and more sustainable future. As a result, all will share responsibility and accountability.

The packaging world is changing! Can we keep up!