1 May
The Lowdown on EPR Reporting
As we move through 2025, businesses across the UK must prepare for a key packaging legislation change: Extended Producer Responsibility reporting (or EPR Reporting). From October 2025, producers will be required to pay EPR fees for the first time, marking a major shift in how packaging waste is managed.
Under this legislation, the responsibility for covering the costs of collecting, sorting, recycling, and disposing of packaging waste will shift from local authorities to the producers themselves. This means if your business places packaging on the UK market, now is the time to ensure you’re collecting the right data, calculating your packaging weight, and preparing for what’s to come.
Who Needs to Report Under EPR? Understanding Business Types
The EPR regulations apply differently depending on the size and packaging activity of your business. As outlined by DEFRA, organisations fall into two main categories:
- Large Organisations
You are classed as a large organisation if:
- You had a turnover of £2 million or more in the 2023 calendar year, and
- You handled 50 tonnes or more of packaging in that year
If you’re in this group, you’re required to submit packaging data and pay EPR fees starting in 2025.
2. Small Organisations
You’re classed as a small organisation if:
- Your turnover was £1 million or more, and
- You handled 25 tonnes or more of packaging in the 2023 calendar year
Small organisations must report their data, but do not yet have to pay fees.
If your business doesn’t meet either of these thresholds, you’re exempt for now — but it’s wise to keep an eye on changes, as the UK’s approach to sustainable packaging continues to evolve.
How to Calculate 2024 Data for EPR Reporting
To prepare for packaging reporting in 2025, you’ll need to base your submission on 2024 business activity. Here’s how to get it right:
Turnover Assessment
Determine your status as a small or large organisation using your business turnover up to 7 April 2024. This aligns with HMRC’s tax year and is required for accurate classification.
Packaging Weight
You must calculate the total weight of packaging your business:
- Supplied to the UK market, or
- Imported into the UK during the 2023 calendar year
This includes primary packaging, transit packaging, and anything else that enters the UK waste stream.
What to Record:
- Material types (e.g. plastic, paper/cardboard, glass, metal, wood)
- End-user destination (household vs non-household waste)
- Labelling and format (e.g. pre-filled packaging vs empty packaging supplied for use)
Keeping accurate records now will make it much easier to meet your obligations — and avoid non-compliance penalties — next year.
Key EPR Reporting Deadlines for 2025
To help you stay compliant, here are the key dates you need to know for EPR reporting in 2025:
| Date | Action Required |
| January–March 2025 | Start preparing your 2024 packaging data |
| 1 April 2025 | Submit data for January–June 2024 (large organisations only) |
| 1 October 2025 | Submit data for July–December 2024 and pay your first EPR fees |
| Ongoing from 2025 | Large organisations continue reporting biannually; small organisations report annually |
These deadlines are legally binding. According to DEFRA, failure to comply could lead to enforcement action or financial penalties — so don’t leave it to the last minute.
What Does EPR Mean for the Environment — and for You?
Extended Producer Responsibility is designed to help the UK meet environmental targets by encouraging businesses to think carefully about the design, composition, and recyclability of their packaging.
Producers covered by EPR will be required to cover the full cost of managing their packaging waste — including:
- Waste management fees for collection and recycling
- Scheme administrator charges
- Regulatory compliance costs
This supports a more transparent and circular approach to packaging waste and helps the government gather vital data on the types of materials entering the waste stream.
Need Help with EPR? Greyhound Box Has You Covered
At Greyhound Box, we understand that navigating Extended Producer Responsibility reporting can be overwhelming — especially when it’s your first time paying the associated fees.
That’s why we offer support in:
- Understanding your legal obligations
- Reducing your packaging weight and improving recyclability
- Choosing sustainable packaging options that reduce environmental impact
- Compiling, classifying, and recording packaging data accurately
If you’re unsure about how to get started with EPR reporting, or need help exploring greener packaging solutions, the Greyhound Box team is ready to help.
Let’s work together to protect People, Planet, and Profit — and get your business ready for a sustainable future.