UK government cuts packaging fees for pubs and backs glass sector reforms

Traders Union
All News
Geopolitics & Trade
UK cuts packaging fees for pubs

Highlights

From April 2027, glass drinks containers sold directly by producers to UK hospitality venues will be exempt from Extended Producer Responsibility fees, saving pubs up to £870 per year.
Government plans wider reforms that could reduce fees for the most recyclable packaging materials by up to 40% annually and will consult on differentiated packaging waste charges.
UK Trade Remedies Authority imposed a provisional anti-dumping measure on Chinese glass container imports on 9 September and is investigating both Chinese dumping and Turkish subsidies.

Packaging fee changes and timeline

As announced by the GOV.UK, citing the UK government, glass drinks containers sold directly from producers to pubs, restaurants and other licensed hospitality venues will no longer face Extended Producer Responsibility fees from April 2027. The move is intended to stop businesses paying twice for recycling the same packaging, cutting costs by up to 6p per beer bottle and 10p per wine bottle.

For a pub selling 10,000 beer bottles and 3,700 wine bottles, the government says the change could save up to £870 a year. Ministers are also planning a consultation on packaging waste fees so that materials that are easier to recycle, including glass and paper, cost less than harder-to-recycle materials such as some plastics.

The government says those wider changes could reduce fees for the most recyclable packaging by up to 40% a year. Extended Producer Responsibility was introduced to encourage businesses to shift to more sustainable packaging, and ministers say the latest measures are designed to make the system fairer and more targeted.

Industry impact and wider trade measures

The changes are part of a broader push to support the British glass industry while maintaining the principle that producers should help cover the cost of managing packaging waste. The government says £1.4 billion has already been provided to councils through the scheme to improve recycling services, while further business support measures are still in development.

Industry groups welcomed the move, with British Glass saying the announcement gives confidence to UK manufacturers and better recognises highly recyclable materials. The British Soft Drinks Association called the action on double charging a significant first step, while the British Beer and Pub Association said lower glass packaging fees could ease cost pressures on brewers by tens of millions, although it wants leased and tenanted pubs to be fully included.

Separately, the independent Trade Remedies Authority is carrying out two investigations into glass container imports, covering alleged dumping of Chinese-origin products and subsidies linked to Turkish-origin imports. A provisional anti-dumping measure on Chinese imports was imposed on 9 September following a recommendation from the authority, and both investigations remain ongoing.

Next month, the government plans to launch a call for evidence on expanding packaging reuse by more businesses to cut waste and plastic use. In early 2027, PackUK is also due to open a further call for evidence on how packaging waste fees for manufacturers should be set.

We recently reported on UK deficit strategy as Chancellor John Healey stuck to IMF-backed plans ahead of the October Budget.

This material may contain third-party opinions, none of the data and information on this webpage constitutes investment advice according to our Disclaimer. While we adhere to strict Editorial Integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners.