EPR Could Damage the UK Glass Industry – It’s Time to Rethink Before It’s Too Late

At Glassworks International, we are strong supporters of sustainability, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and improving how we handle packaging waste in the UK. But the way DEFRA’s proposed packaging EPR (pEPR) scheme is currently being implemented is deeply flawed and could cause irreversible damage to the UK glass packaging industry.

A new industry survey by British Glass, published on 28 May 2025, highlights just how serious the situation is – with brands, retailers and suppliers already shifting away from glass in favour of less sustainable, less recyclable alternatives, simply to cut costs.

And we believe it’s time those responsible at DEFRA stop and listen to what the industry is saying before it’s too late.

Key findings from British Glass that DEFRA cannot ignore:

43% of brands and retailers are considering switching away from glass
77% of those would switch to plastic
Only 23% are exploring reuse
Two-thirds would consider importing glass from outside the UK due to lower costs
85% of pEPR costs will be passed directly to consumers
Glass (just 5% of packaging by volume) is expected to bear a third of all EPR costs

Let that sink in: the most recyclable material is being disproportionately penalised – purely because of its weight.

Weight-based EPR charges are driving the wrong behaviours

The pEPR system calculates fees based on packaging weight, not recyclability or environmental value. This means heavier materials like glass – despite being infinitely recyclable – will incur higher costs than lighter, less recyclable packaging like plastic or laminated cartons.

As Nick Kirk, Technical Director at British Glass, rightly put it:

“Packaging is bought in units, not weight… heavier materials like glass will continue to be unfairly penalised compared to lighter, less and non-recyclable packaging materials.”

This flawed model is pushing brands to switch to plastic – not for the planet’s sake, but to reduce fees.

Environmental and economic damage – without any real benefit

The policy, in its current form, will:

Increase packaging-related emissions by favouring imports over local UK-made glass
Lead to job losses across the UK glass manufacturing sector (which supports over 120,000 jobs)
Result in higher prices for consumers; especially in retail and hospitality
Provide no guarantee of improved recycling, since local authorities aren’t required to invest EPR income into waste systems

And worst of all, reuse – which DEFRA says is the long-term goal — is still a decade away according to their own documents. So why punish glass now?

Our message to DEFRA: Please listen to the industry

At Glassworks International, we’re calling on those within DEFRA who are shaping this policy to reconsider the EPR cost model. There is still time to:

Align fees with per-unit cost and recyclability
Delay glass fees until Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) are fully implemented
Work collaboratively with the industry to create long-term reuse infrastructure

We all want a better, greener future – but penalising the most circular packaging material on the market is not the way to get there.

What can brands do now?

If you’re a brand, retailer, or supplier concerned about the direction pEPR is heading:

Join the conversation with organisations like British Glass
Raise the issue in your own supply chains and policy discussions
Choose supply partners who are committed to sustainable, UK-sourced glass packaging

And above all — don’t stay silent. If we don’t speak up now, we risk losing a world-class industry that genuinely puts sustainability first.

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