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Circular economy

UK Packaging PRO joins EXPRA to lead the UK’s packaging EPR system

Brussels, Belgium

The Extended Producer Responsibility Alliance (EXPRA), the umbrella organisation for packaging and packaging-waste recovery and recycling systems run on a not-for-profit basis by obliged industry, is pleased to welcome UK Packaging PRO as its new member.

Following extensive discussions and planning across the UK packaging value chain, this new system represents a significant step toward implementing EPR in the UK in line with genuine, non-profit, industry-led principles, consistent with EXPRA’s 10 Golden Rules.

“Joining EXPRA is an important move for us,” said Karen Graley, Head of UK Packaging PRO. “After years of debate on how to implement EPR effectively in the UK, we now have a system designed to be transparent, efficient, and producer-led. Through EXPRA, we will exchange knowledge, share best practices, and learn from international experience to ensure that UK EPR operates closer to the genuine non-profit model proven across Europe.”

EXPRA Managing Director Joachim Quoden welcomed the new member: “We are delighted to have UK Packaging PRO join EXPRA. Its producer-led, non-profit approach reflects the true principles of Extended Producer Responsibility. With UK Packaging PRO in the network, we can support the development of a robust and sustainable UK EPR system and promote industry-led, non-profit approaches across Europe.”

This expansion underscores EXPRA’s commitment to fostering EPR systems that are transparent, efficient, and genuinely non-profit, ensuring that producer responsibility contributes effectively to the circular economy.

Industry-backed organisation to play central role in delivering packaging EPR

An industry bid ‘UK Packaging PRO’ – has been appointed by PackUK as the Producer Responsibility Organisation for the UK’s packaging recycling (pEPR) scheme
The bid has backing from over 100 organisations: retailers, product manufacturers, packaging producers, NGOs and waste management organisations
The move will shift the UK towards a more integrated circular economy in packaging: in time making more recyclable materials available to businesses
UK Packaging PRO has been appointed by PackUK as the national Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the UK’s packaging recycling scheme, Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme.

The appointment marks a major milestone in the delivery of the UK’s packaging reforms.

Created by packaging producers and backed by organisations representing at least half of the UK’s EPR fees, UK Packaging PRO brings a united industry voice to the UKs packaging EPR scheme.

Driving delivery across the UK

UK Packaging PRO will work closely with PackUK, governments, local authorities, the waste and recycling sector, and obligated producers of all sizes to:

Improve recycling rates, by supporting innovation and improvements in how packaging is made, used, collected and recycled
Ensure fees and incentives align with real environmental progress
Support local authorities with data, insight and practical tools
Lead industry’s efforts to improve and reduce packaging and support better recycling, across all four nations of the UK
The formal appointment of UK Packaging PRO will commence on 1 April 2026, with responsibilities introduced gradually. Karen Graley, who has led the successful application process, will continue as Head of UK Packaging PRO, directing the ramp up and mobilisation. Karen has a distinguished career in packaging innovation, working at both Waitrose and M&S, and was a founding director of OPRL.

Sebastian Munden CBE has been appointed Chair of the Board for UK Packaging PRO. A senior adviser, board director and champion of innovation in the circular economy, Sebastian brings over 30 years’ global FMCG experience, most recently as former chief executive of Unilever UK & Ireland.

Industry and government reaction

Sebastian Munden CBE, Chair of the Board for UK Packaging PRO, said: “Many of us in the industry have been working for this moment for many years. Although it has been a long time to get here, this is only the very beginning of industry-led EPR in the UK. A cost-conscious, data-driven, innovation-minded approach will be good for citizens, local authorities and producers, with benefits in standards of living and to the economy. I am looking forward to a genuine partnership between government and business.”

Jeremy Blake, CEO, Pack UK, said: “I’m delighted to welcome UK Packaging PRO as the new Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). This announcement follows a rigorous selection process, as PackUK was committed to choosing the best candidate possible to represent the diverse interests of the packaging industry. The appointment of the PRO will further enhance the scheme by unlocking the benefits that an industry led organisation can bring. I have full confidence that we have found that in UK Packaging PRO and look forward to working together with the PRO to achieve the shared goals of packaging producers and local authorities alike: higher recycling rates, lower costs and improved efficiency.”

www.expra.eu.     https://ukpackagingpro.org.uk/.  

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