5 Feb
Sustainable Packaging Legislation Changes in 2025
2025 will be a game-changing year for the UK’s packaging sector. From the introduction of new recycling obligations and waste disposal fees to the growing influence of the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), there’s plenty to be aware of.
We’ve rounded up what you need to know about:
- Changes to packaging waste legislation
- The countdown to the extended producer responsibility scheme
- How the UK Plastic Packaging Tax is impacting waste
- EU packaging regulations to keep an eye on
- What you can do to replace current packaging with a more sustainable approach
Before we get into it, we’d like to give you a friendly reminder that our team are in-the-know about all and any changes to sustainable packaging legislation, day in, day out. So, if you’d like some extra support or would like to make sustainable packaging changes for the better, you can always get in touch.
1. Packaging Waste Changes
At the start of the year, the long-standing Packaging waste: Producer responsibilities legislation was substituted by ‘Extended producer responsibility for packaging: recycling obligations and waste disposal fees UK’ (EPR). This sustainable packaging legislation details the organisations that may need to provide evidence of packaging waste recycling. From October 2025, these organisations will need to pay disposal fees for the waste generated from a product’s packaging, too.
The EPR affects UK organisations who produce, supply, or import packaging. It also impacts any UK businesses that:
- Use packaging in their operations
- Manufacture packaging
- Sell products in packaging
By shifting responsibility for waste fees to producers, the EPR should incentivise businesses to choose more sustainable packaging. And, reduce their material footprint.
How to Prepare for EPR
Though EPR’s been years in the making, the finish line has come around quickly. Whilst many businesses will have already taken steps to prepare, we know that many will be finding the changes a challenge to get their head around.
Don’t panic!
Our people specialise in the ins and outs of new and changing sustainable packaging legislation, meaning you can feel peace of mind that your packages comply. And, your team understands their responsibilities.
To kickstart preparations for EPR’s full rollout in October, we recommend you:
Carry out a packaging review
Before you do anything else, this exercise will help you spot the more obvious ways you can reduce packaging waste. Plus, it’ll help you uncover other areas where more sustainable materials could be used.
At Greyhound Box, we always encourage our customers to book in a packaging review with our specialists. By learning about every inch of your production processes (from product lines to your full supply chain), we get a full understanding of the type of sustainable packaging solution you need to protect your products.
Click to learn about our Packaging Review service
Consider and implement a system to record and report on your packaging data
With great packaging comes great responsibility. It’s up to you to make sure you’re providing the government with the right packaging data at the right time. Get prepared, now!
Set up EPR training for staff
To make sure all staff are aware of the upcoming changes to sustainable packaging reporting and responsibilities, you need to train them on it. Whether you outsource to a specialist training provider or are lucky enough to have an in-house expert, it’s imperative that you provide a continuous learning environment to ensure your business is compliant from day one.
2. EU Packaging Waste Regulations to Keep an Eye on
Last April, the European Parliament embraced new measures to increase packaging’s sustainability and reduce waste across the EU. Not dissimilar to the UK, the EU has put a particular focus on plastic packaging waste. From 2030, some types of single use plastic packaging will be banned completely. These mainly affect food, beverage, and FMCG packaging. For instance, packaging for unprocessed fresh fruit and veg or individual portions (for products like ketchup).
The EU has also set packaging reduction targets for the next 15 years, of:
- 5% by 2030
- 10% by 2035
- 15% by 2040
All packaging, except for a select few materials (like cork and wax) will need to meet strict criteria to be recyclable. And, in a move we’re rather happy about, the PPWR will also reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging in circulation.
The ratio of empty space will be set to a maximum of 50% for grouped, transport, and e-commerce packaging. Other importers and manufacturers and importers will need to ensure they’re minimising both the weight and volume of packaging, too.
Promisingly for the sustainable box landscape back here, it seems likely that the PPWR – or something similar – will be coming to the UK in the not-so-distant future. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping a keen eye on the effect it has in the EU.
3. Continued Impact of the Plastic Packaging Tax
In another April change, the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) came into force in the UK in 2022. Since, the tax rate has grown from £200 to £217.85 per tonne. HMRC collected £268 million from the tax alone in the 2023 to 2024 financial year. That’s a 6% decrease compared to the year before, a promising sign that the tax is incentivising businesses to explore alternatives to plastic.
The tax has also promoted a reduction in the total amount of plastic packaging manufactured in, and imported into, the UK. Everything you need to know about the PPT can be found in our blog, here.
How to Replace Current Packaging with a More Sustainable Approach
So, with all these changes approaching or already underway, how can you get ahead of the curve and ensure your packaging is as sustainable as it can be – today, and for the future?
We’ve already mentioned the importance of a packaging review. After this comes specialist advice from a sustainable packaging manufacturer and supplier, like Greyhound Box!
- Once we’ve got a strong understanding of your packaging requirements (for both products and operations), we advise you on the best packaging solution to meet your needs.
- Many of our clients trust us for our bespoke packaging designs, which we craft in-house to ensure maximum protection of your goods. (And minimal packaging waste, of course.)
- We’re big fans of a face-to-face approach – we love inviting clients to join us in our CAD room for an interactive packaging design and testing session.
- From here, we can tweak and finalise the design that’s going to offer the most to your business, whilst prioritising sustainable materials and manufacturing processes – naturally.
Get Set for Changes to Sustainable Packaging Legislation
Our friendly team are at the other end of the phone or email inbox. What are you waiting for?
Preparations for tomorrow’s sustainable packaging legislation start today.