ACP – Advisory Commission On Packaging – Release Future Regulations Paper

The ACP – Advisory Commission On Packaging  has today released a discussion paper on the Future of Packaging Regulations from 2020 onwards.

The Document can be read in full by clicking the following link :ACP Future Regulations Paper Dec 2017

Summary

It is considered that the fundamentals of the current system – shared responsibility, a marketbased
fee system, compliance schemes – are a valid part of any future packaging producer
responsibility system. However a number of improvements and enhancements are necessary to
enable the system to deliver against likely future requirements.

Recommendation Overview

1. Target optimisation Smarter targets:
LCA derived including carbon benefit.
Material granularity.
Compatible with other potential legislative drivers.
Coordinated with other targets.

2. Communication Well-funded and ongoing – >£20m/year from fixed charge
separate to PRN.
Coordinated with other communications such as consistency.
Requires national management body.
Disbursement should be as required not material specific.

3. Compliance revenue use Modulated targets to take account of environmental impact.
Impact should include LCA, litterability, recyclability, carbon etc.
Clearer revenue reporting.
Fixed fee required for strategic infrastructure development.
Requires national management body.

4. UK vs Export UK vulnerable to dependence on exports.
Requires government intervention to encourage UK
reprocessing growth.
Requires demand led incentives .

5. Additional issues Enforcement needs to be more effective on exports, qualifying
packaging and free riders.
De-minimis thresholds need review to apply a fairer cost
distribution.
Accreditation should be a mandatory requirement for all
reprocessors and exporters to ensure all recycling is captured.