UK Packaging PRO has been appointed as the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme.
The announcement, made by scheme administrator PackUK on 23 March, confirms that the industry-led body will play a central role in shaping how the new regime is delivered. The pEPR scheme is designed to shift the full cost of managing household packaging waste from taxpayers to producers, while driving greater use of recyclable materials and reducing landfill.
UK Packaging PRO brings together more than 100 major brands, retailers and trade bodies, with backing from organisations including the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), amongst others. Its producer-led structure is intended to give businesses across the packaging value chain a stronger voice in how the scheme operates.
For convenience retailers, the development signals further progress towards a system that is expected to influence packaging design, supplier requirements and cost structures across fast-moving consumer goods.
Jeremy Blake, chief executive of PackUK, said the appointment followed a “rigorous selection process” aimed at ensuring the organisation could represent the diverse interests of the sector.
“The appointment of the PRO will further enhance the scheme by unlocking the benefits that an industry-led organisation can bring,” he said.
The government has positioned pEPR as a cornerstone of its wider circular economy strategy. Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said the scheme would “incentivise businesses towards more sustainable packaging choices and improve recycling services in every region”.
“The launch of UK Packaging PRO, led by businesses and working closely with PackUK, is a major step forward – putting industry expertise at the centre of how pEPR is delivered,” she added.
Karen Graley, head of UK Packaging PRO, said the organisation was ready to begin work with stakeholders across the sector.
“UK Packaging PRO was created to give producers a genuine seat at the table,” she said. “With strong governance in place, a clear mobilisation plan, and broad support from across the sector, we are ready to get to work – in close partnership with PackUK, governments, local authorities and organisations across the value chain.”
Under the scheme, £1.4 billion is set to be invested in its first year to support local authorities in improving packaging waste collection and recycling. While UK Packaging PRO will help deliver the scheme, PackUK will retain oversight and key decision-making powers, including setting producer fees and determining payments to councils.
The formal appointment of UK Packaging PRO will take effect from 1 April 2026, with responsibilities phased in over time.
Similar EPR models already operate in more than 30 countries, including Belgium, France and Germany, where they have contributed to higher recycling rates and improved system efficiency. The UK scheme will build on these approaches while adapting them to a four-nation framework.