Think Twice

With final first-year packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) fees announced in July 2025, glass appears to face a disadvantage compared to other, less recyclable materials. The base fee for glass is lower per tonne than that of plastic packaging – however, one unit of plastic packaging can be up to 10 times lighter than the equivalent unit of glass meaning the fee on one glass bottle verses one plastic bottle is greater. While some brands and retailers may be tempted to switch out of glass to lower their pEPR obligations, British Glass is urging producers to think twice before switching, as several upcoming policy changes will rebalance the costs away from glass.

Key factors include:

• UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS): From 2028, plastic packaging will face increased costs due to incineration emissions – estimated at around £185 per tonne – while glass will not.
• Deposit Return Scheme (DRS): Plastic and metal containers will incur significant DRS setup and producer fees, expected to add around 3p per unit, while glass beverage packaging will be exempt in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• Future pEPR modulation and base fee changes: From 2026 onwards, glass packaging is expected to benefit from up to 10% lower fees due to its recyclability, while fees for less recyclable materials could double by year four. Further, base fees will be reviewed on a yearly basis and improved figures/metrics should see a reduction for glass.
• Environmental and health concerns: Growing awareness of microplastics and chemical pollution continues to push consumers and regulators toward safer, inert materials like glass.
• Circular economy: Glass is recycled domestically back into food-safe packaging within 30 days, supporting UK jobs and the circular economy – unlike many alternative materials that are shipped overseas and rarely turned back into packaging.
• Reuse and refill potential: Glass is uniquely suited to reusable packaging systems, supporting government circular economy goals.
• PRN volatility: With PRN obligations shifting solely to packaging producers, volatility in prices – currently as high as £265 per tonne for plastic, compared to £90 for glass – should be factored into long-term planning.