British Glass urges producers to ‘think twice’ before switching from glass

British Glass has urged packaging producers to “think twice before switching” from glass.

The confederation warned that short-term cost concerns about the price of glass under the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme could lead to long-term disadvantages as policy and market conditions evolve.

With the first producer invoices under pEPR sent out in October 2025, the trade association said it has seen signs that some brands are considering moving away from glass in favour of lighter materials such as plastic.

While the base pEPR fee per tonne for glass is lower than that of plastic, the higher weight of individual glass containers means that, per unit, producers may face greater costs.

However, British Glass said such moves may prove “short-sighted,” with a series of upcoming regulatory and market changes expected to “rebalance” costs away from glass over the coming years.

Upcoming policy shifts

According to British Glass, a number of factors could make glass more cost-competitive.

From 2028, the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will increase costs for packaging that is incinerated, which is expected to disproportionately affect plastic packaging.

In parallel, the introduction of deposit return schemes (DRS) across the UK will see additional setup and producer fees applied to plastic and metal containers.

The federation also expects glass packaging to benefit from upcoming reforms to pEPR fee modulation and base rates, with potential reductions of up to 10% from 2026.

Beyond regulation, British Glass said shifting public sentiment and scientific scrutiny are working in glass’s favour.

Growing awareness of microplastic and chemical pollution is steering both consumers and regulators toward “safer” materials. The organisation also highlighted glass’s suitability for reuse systems.

Nick Kirk, Federation Director at British Glass, commented: “Consumer demand and regulatory trends are moving firmly towards safer, circular packaging.

“While switching away from glass may seem cheaper now, it ignores the wider shift and the benefits glass brings in recyclability, reuse, and long-term cost stability.

“To brands and retailers weighing their options, our message is clear: think twice before you switch.”

Disproportionate effect of pEPR

The federation has previously raised concerns about disproportionate costs under the pEPR system.

In December 2024, British Glass warned that fees for glass could be around 49 times higher than for some other materials, potentially “leading to more throwaway plastic” in the market.

At the time, the organisation estimated that a 330ml glass beer bottle would attract a pEPR fee of roughly 5p, which could translate to a 10p increase for consumers once supply chain margins and VAT are factored in.

Glass market in the UK

The glass sector is under a lot of pressure at the moment, particularly due to cheaper imports from the EU flooding the UK market and the cheap production cost of virgin cullet.

Whilst glass prices have remained relatively flat in October 2025, industry contacts warned that they don’t expect the situation to get better closer to Christmas.