Around 70 organisations from across the supply chain attended to give their views on what could be required, with more sprints scheduled over the next eight weeks.
Those in attendance included local authorities, trade associations, packaging producers and waste management firms.
While many said the meeting provided a “helpful platform to share ideas”, letsrecycle.com was told by several in attendance there was an underlying sense of frustration that there are discussions about what could happen in a decade, but many producers still require clarity ahead of the scheme’s 2024 start date.
A Defra spokesperson told letsrecycle.com: “As part of our work to deliver packaging reforms that work for all, we are undertaking an eight-week long series of industry-wide events.
“The first session brought together over 70 organisations, including waste and packaging companies, manufacturers, national retailers, environmental organisations and local government to outline what could be required for future packaging reforms. We will continue to work with these vital groups to help shape future policy.”
We will continue to work with these vital groups to help shape future policy
- Defra
Producers
One attendee with close links to producers explained some attendees were irked after Defra made clear that they could not clarify much about the short term. “This was particularly worrying as some feel they might struggle to comply in time without this.”
They did say the event was helpful because it got people together in one room to discuss EPR. However, they added the event was “probably perfect for five years ago”. “People want to see things like the scheme administrator appointed, the flow of money clarified, exact timelines,” the attendee said.
Another attendee who works for a local authority said the meeting proved a helpful platform to share ideas with Defra. They said they were pleased to hear their suggestions would be reviewed after the meetings.
“Lots of good ideas were shared between the most knowledgeable people, so that can only be positive. I look forward to hearing how Defra has taken this on board,” they added.
A private sector representative explained to letsrecycle.com that “there was a lot of concern” that the system was being “shackled from the start” because of inconsistencies across UK nations in the DRS. They suggested they could not yet envisage a “world class EPR system” due to the “inbuilt fault lines”.
Labelling
One topic under discussion at the meeting was the impact of labelling rules, on which Professor Margaret Bates, executive director at the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL), answered questions from businesses.
Under EPR, brand owners and importers would be required to label most packaging with the Recycle Now swoosh – of which OPRL currently has exclusive use – and instructions stating either ‘recycle’ or ‘do not recycle’ (see letsrecycle.com story).
Professor Bates said: “The sprint was a welcome opportunity to provide up-to-date information and our members were relieved to find that the existing OPRL labels will still be applicable as part of the mandatory labelling system.”
Subscribe for free