The European Union’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) will affect thousands of businesses and organisations in the UK.
Although many details about the implementation are yet to be defined in the secondary legislation, the PPWR sets out a clear timeline – requiring all packaging to be recyclable by 2030. The PPWR’s long-term objective is to establish a circular economy, where materials are reused and recycled rather than discarded. Its impact will be felt throughout the packaging supply chain.
1. Who is Affected:
- Businesses with an annual turnover above £1 million that handle over 25 tonnes of packaging annually.
- Organisations that supply, import, or handle packaging as part of their operations, including branded or unbranded goods.
2. Obligations:
- Data Collection and Reporting: Businesses must report data on the types and amounts of packaging they handle. This includes details about primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging.
- Recycling Responsibilities: Companies must meet recycling obligations based on materials handled (e.g., paper, glass, plastic). Targets vary by material type.
- Financial Contribution: Organisations must contribute to the cost of recycling packaging waste to local authorities, shifting the financial burden from taxpayers to producers.
3. Compliance Steps:
- Register with a compliance scheme or directly with the relevant environmental regulator.
- Submit packaging data and supporting documents through the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD).
- Inform customers about recycling and collection systems and their role in reducing packaging waste.
4. Small Producers:
Businesses with a turnover between £1 million and £2 million, or handling between 25 and 50 tonnes of packaging, can register under simplified requirements.
5. Deadlines and Penalties:
- Producers must comply with data submission deadlines to avoid penalties, including late fees or additional compliance costs.
These measures aim to increase recycling rates and promote the circular economy. For detailed instructions, visit the official UK Government page: Extended Producer Responsibility Guidance.
How will it affect the supply chain?
The PPWR will require collaboration across industries. A range of stakeholders – including regulators, packaging suppliers, and waste processors – will be required to work together to achieve the regulation’s goals.
Businesses affected by the regulations will need to undertake a comprehensive review of their use of packaging, which in this context is defined as material that is used to cover or protect goods that are supplied. They need to be sure that they are using and sourcing packaging that is compliant with a 100% recyclability grade.
When using plastic, corrugated polypropylene is considered the best option for sustainability. A lightweight yet durable thermoplastic polymer, it has excellent durability, recyclability, and reusability.
To ensure compliance with PPWR regulations, companies need to partner with suppliers committed to sustainable packaging solutions and circular economy principles. An ideal packaging supplier will facilitate efficient recycling and material reuse, not only in the design and composition of its products but also in the provision of ancillary services.
For example, at Twinplast we have invested in our own internal waste processing facilities which turn manufacturing off-cuts and used polypropylene products into pellets and flakes, regenerating new raw material which is fed back into production to ensure that no plastic becomes waste. We have backed this investment with a pledge to all customers, stating that all end-of-life products they send back to our factory will be pelletised or flaked.
This measure has been embraced by various major clients. Twinplast’s in-house waste processing has become an integral part of their sustainability model: it makes a huge difference to an organisation’s environmental targets when they are able to direct their packaging waste to a company with the specialist knowledge, expertise and facilities to fully recycle it and feed it directly back into the manufacturing process. Using less specialist waste management channels carries the risk that some material fails to get recycled and reused, unnecessarily contributing to landfill.
The PPWR marks a significant shift in the packaging landscape and companies should waste no time in making sure that they are equipped to navigate it. Identifying the optimum material solutions and systems will help to future-proof their business in a more stringent regulatory framework.
For expert advice on sustainable packaging solutions, contact our team today:
Tel: 01582 361720
Email: sales@twinplast.co.uk