A staggering 89% of the 11,701 obligated packaging producers in the UK are still supplying non-recyclable, hard-to-recycle, or mixed-rating packaging to the market.
These figures come from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) following a Freedom of Information request by BagKraft, specialist manufacturer and supplier of high-quality, sustainable bags, and bespoke promotional packaging.
The data, released under Environmental Information Regulations, show there is still an uphill battle for absolute sustainability as 14% of producers are supplying exclusively ‘Red’ rated packaging.
This means one in seven businesses remain entirely reliant on materials classified as difficult or problematic to recycle. A further 1% of producers supply strictly ‘Amber’ rated packaging, which carries significant recycling challenges.
Three-quarters (75%) of producers are currently supplying a mix of Red, Amber, and Green-rated packaging, meaning the vast majority of businesses have yet to fully transition away from problematic materials. With just 10% successfully transitioning to supplying strictly ‘Green’ packaging across their entire operations.
These findings highlight a significant gap between corporate sustainability goals and the reality of UK supply chains. With pEPR regulations designed to penalise difficult-to-recycle materials through higher fees, businesses relying on Red and Amber-rated packaging face significant operational costs alongside reputational risks.
Jon Marling, managing director of BagKraft, commented: “This data from Defra is a stark reminder that while the conversation around sustainability is everywhere, the physical transition is lagging.
“Seeing that only 10% of producers are operating entirely in the ‘Green’ zone is a wake-up call. Moving away from ‘Red’ and mixed-material packaging isn’t just an environmental obligation anymore—with pEPR fees escalating, it is a financial necessity.”
BagKraft urges brands and retailers currently sitting in the mixed or strictly red categories to audit their portfolios immediately. By switching to easily recyclable, high-performance alternatives, businesses can insulate themselves from regulatory penalties while meeting consumer demand for truly green packaging.