The FPA is urging the new government to work with industry on practical packaging reform after Defra confirmed Emma Hardy MP will take responsibility for the circular economy and waste crime.
The association represents 130 manufacturers and distributors with an estimated combined economic footprint of more than £27 billion and in excess of 70,000 employees.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle, the FPA sets out five areas where it believes early government action would provide greater certainty for businesses, protect consumers from unnecessary costs and support investment in UK manufacturing and recycling infrastructure.
“Confirmation that Emma Hardy will take responsibility for the circular economy is welcome. Clear ministerial ownership is essential, and we look forward to working with her and with Becky Shrubsole in her new role as Director of Circular Economy”, says FPA CEO Ellen Daniels.
“Foodservice packaging plays an essential role across hospitality, catering, retail, healthcare, education, travel and the food-to-go market. It enables food and drink to be transported, stored and served safely and hygienically, while protecting product quality, reducing waste and supporting food security”.
Daniels says the sector supports the principle of producer responsibility and is continuing to invest in recyclable materials, recycled content, lower-carbon manufacturing and circular design.
However, she warns that reforms including packaging Extended Producer Responsibility, the Recyclability Assessment Methodology, deposit return schemes, Simpler Recycling, and requirements associated with Plastic Packaging Tax will only achieve their intended outcomes if they are practical, proportionate, coordinated across government and backed by robust evidence and sufficient collection, sorting and reprocessing infrastructure.
“Producers need confidence that all obligated producers are contributing fairly and that sufficient collection, sorting and reprocessing infrastructure will be available to deliver the environmental outcomes they are being asked to fund”, she continued.
“We are not asking government to slow reform. We want to work with ministers and officials to ensure it delivers measurable environmental benefits, supports British manufacturing and gives businesses the confidence to invest”.
Daniels is also calling for timely publication of the Circular Economy Growth Plan and stronger coordination between Defra, HMRC and other departments responsible for packaging-related environmental measures. Although individual policies may be administered by different departments, she says businesses experience pEPR, Plastic Packaging Tax and associated auditing, reporting and certification requirements as one cumulative regulatory programme.
The FPA’s five priorities for the new government
- Refine Extended Producer Responsibility to improve confidence, transparency, fairness and enforcement.
- Put evidence at the centre of environmental policy, recognising packaging’s role in food safety, public health, food security and reducing food waste.
- Provide certainty for investment through clear implementation plans, consistent guidance, realistic timescales, proportionate compliance requirements and the infrastructure needed to deliver reform.
- Champion British manufacturing by encouraging domestic investment, strengthening supply chain resilience and avoiding unintended competitive disadvantages.
- Continue working with industry to ensure packaging and waste reforms are practical, evidence-based and informed by experience across the supply chain.
The full open letter is available to view on the home page of the FPA website and directly via this link.