Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
Recommendation 10
10
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 54
We understand that promoting plastic reuse is a challenging part of this policy area but...
Conclusion
We understand that promoting plastic reuse is a challenging part of this policy area but increasing the uptake of reusable packaging is essential for reducing the total amount packaging consumed in the UK. Government must ensure that any Extended Producer Responsibility system fully incentivises all routes for tackling plastic waste—not just recycling—and should give the greatest incentives to options that are higher up the waste hierarchy: reduction and reuse.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that more use of reusable packaging is desirable and states its intention to consider appropriate measures to encourage the use of reusable/refillable packaging, such as targets and obligations on businesses. They intend to come forward with their proposals in 2024.
Paragraph Reference:
54
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government’s initial focus of the new pEPR measures is on increasing the use of recyclable packaging. pEPR will see producers’ fees varied (modulated) to account for certain criteria, with the initial focus on increasing the recyclability of packaging. Producers who use easily recyclable packaging will pay less than those who use hard to recycle, or unrecyclable, packaging. The government agrees with the Committee that more use of reusable packaging is desirable to increase the circularity of packaging. It remains our intention to consider appropriate measures to encourage the use of reusable/refillable packaging. Measures such as targets and obligations on businesses that use packaging, and whether there is a role for modulating fees will be considered. We intend to come forward with our proposals in 2024.