Valpak by Reconomy has welcomed Defra’s new Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM).
Steve Gough, CEO at Valpak – the UK’s largest compliance scheme – described the announcement as a key component in the move towards implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR), saying: “This announcement gives packaging producers the clarity needed to plan ahead. Armed with a comprehensive definition of green and red – recyclable and non-recyclable – materials, producers are now able to focus on collating the necessary data to meet their obligation.”
He added: “Those preparing for pEPR face two major challenges – sourcing and recording data, followed by analysis of packaging materials with a view to reducing non-recyclable packaging. For large businesses, collecting and submitting data is a vast task, so Valpak’s advice for those beginning the journey is to focus initial efforts on the areas offering the greatest reward.
“Eco-modulation charges begin in 2026, based on the packaging put onto the market in 2025. Non-recyclable material will be charged at a higher rate and this higher fee also applies to packaging items for which no eco-modulation data has been recorded. Producers would therefore be wise to start the ball rolling by identifying items with high sales volumes that have not yet been categorised as recyclable. This will drive the greatest volume of helpful data into the system and provides a platform for making future packaging design as early as possible to reduce future costs.”