Accepting this help would ensure a “true version” of EPR can be achieved instead of a “continuation of the current broken system with a different funding model”.
The FDF, which represents and advises UK food and drink manufacturers of all sizes, made the comments in response to Dr Coffey’s comments during an EFRA committee meeting earlier this week.
Dr Coffey explained that she is “open” to allowing producers to sit on the board of the scheme administrator following a meeting with the FDF last week, but said Defra is “constrained” as the administrator has to be a public body (see letsrecycle.com story).
The scheme administrator will determine how producers pay fees to cover local authorities’ full net disposal costs for household packaging waste.
‘Broken’
A spokesperson for the FDF told letsrecycle.com: “We welcome the ongoing engagement with Defra to ensure their flagship EPR policy isn’t a failure. While some progress has been made, it is critical that any policy works for consumers, businesses and most importantly the environment.
“We would urge the Secretary of State to accept industry’s help to ensure the regulations allow a true version of EPR and not a continuation of the current broken recycling system with a different funding model.”
Engagement
The message from the FDF adds to growing industry pressure on Defra as EPR is due to be rolled out next year.
The British Retail Consortium also wrote to the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to raise concerns about EPR in February.
The group then reasoned that EPR combined with the deposit return scheme (DRS) will “add around £4 billion in costs to retailers”, which will be passed down the line (see letsrecycle.com story).
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