New research shows the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme has led to increased levels of packaging waste for almost half (47%) of British manufacturers and suppliers.
By 1 October 2026, businesses with an annual turnover of £2 million or more that supply or import more than 50 tonnes of packaging must report pEPR data to the government. The information is used to calculate pEPR fees, which contribute towards the costs of collecting, sorting, recycling and disposing of packaging waste.
A survey of 200 British businesses throughout non-food supply chains, by retail logistics company Advanced Supply Chain, has revealed the pEPR has made pre-retail logistics processes more complex for two-thirds (65%) of companies, with the majority (70%) saying the scheme has led to increased repackaging requirements.
Stuart Greenfield, UK and European Sales Director at Advanced Supply Chain, commented:
“The packaging EPR was designed to encourage businesses to use less packaging, but our survey suggests it may be having the opposite effect for many organisations. Around half (47%) reported an increase in packaging waste, with companies taking a closer look at packaging across their supply chains and carrying out additional repackaging as products are made ready for sale.”
Findings from the survey also showed the pEPR scheme has made it more time-consuming for 70% of suppliers to comply with retailer’s packaging standards, while 37% reported that the scheme had led to more packaging errors.
Stuart Greenfield concluded: “Packaging is already a major pressure point in pre-retail logistics, and the packaging EPR seems to have intensified the challenge. While retailers and suppliers have spent years stripping out unnecessary packaging to cut costs, save time and improve sustainability, many are now having to revisit those efforts as they adapt to EPR compliance. We expect packaging strategies and supplier standards to evolve rapidly as businesses look to minimise both packaging EPR liabilities and reduce repackaging requirements.”
About the ASC research
SAPIO Research surveyed 200 senior key decision makers with responsibility for pre-retail logistics and compliance. Interviews were conducted online in July 2026 and carried out among key decision makers working for businesses with an annual turnover of £10million+ across the UK.