Extended producer responsibility and PRNs: the packaging rules explained
Extended producer responsibility, or EPR, makes the businesses that supply packaging pay the cost of collecting and recycling it. It applies across the UK from 2025 and replaces the old packaging waste rules. Packaging recovery notes, known as PRNs, continue alongside it as proof that packaging waste has been recycled.
Extended producer responsibility: key facts
| Who is covered | UK organisations that supply or import packaging and pass the size tests below |
|---|---|
| Large organisation | Turnover above 2 million pounds and more than 50 tonnes of packaging a year |
| Small organisation | Turnover above 1 million pounds and more than 25 tonnes of packaging a year |
| Who runs it | PackUK, the scheme administrator |
| From 2026 | Fees depend on how easy the packaging is to recycle |
What does extended producer responsibility require?
The duties depend on the size of the organisation. The government guidance sets them out in full.
| Duty | Small | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Record packaging data | Yes | Yes |
| Report packaging data | Once a year | Twice a year |
| Pay a waste management fee | No | Yes, for household packaging |
| Buy PRNs to meet recycling targets | No | Yes |
What are the EPR fees?
The fee is charged for each tonne of household packaging a large organisation supplies. These were the base fees for the first year, 2025 to 2026.
| Material | Fee a tonne |
|---|---|
| Fibre based composite | £461 |
| Plastic | £423 |
| Wood | £280 |
| Aluminium | £266 |
| Steel | £259 |
| Paper and card | £196 |
| Glass | £192 |
From 2026 the fees are adjusted by a recyclability rating of red, amber or green. Packaging rated red, which is hard to recycle, pays more. Packaging rated green pays less.
What is a packaging recovery note?
A packaging recovery note is a certificate issued by an accredited recycler for each tonne of packaging waste it recycles. When the waste is exported for recycling, the note is called a PERN. Large organisations buy enough notes each year to show that their share of the recycling target has been met.
The price of a PRN is set by the market. It rises when recycling is short of the target and falls when there is plenty. That price feeds through to what recyclers can pay for sorted cardboard, plastic, glass and metal, which is one reason the prices for recyclable materials move.
What should a business do now?
- Work out whether you pass the size tests, counting all the packaging you supply or import.
- Record the weight and material of that packaging.
- Register and report through the government service, directly or through a compliance scheme.
- Look at packaging rated red, and switch to materials that are easier to recycle.
For ways to cut the fee, read our guide to sustainable packaging.
Frequently asked questions
What is extended producer responsibility for packaging?
It means the business that supplies packaging pays for collecting, sorting and recycling it after use. In the UK the fees fund council collections of household packaging.
Who has to comply with packaging EPR?
UK organisations that supply or import packaging, with a turnover above 1 million pounds and more than 25 tonnes of packaging a year. Larger organisations, above 2 million pounds and 50 tonnes, also pay fees.
What is the difference between a PRN and a PERN?
Both prove that a tonne of packaging waste was recycled. A PRN is issued when it is recycled in the UK. A PERN is issued when it is exported for recycling.
Do small businesses pay EPR fees?
No. Small organisations record and report their packaging once a year but do not pay the waste management fee or buy PRNs. Businesses below both size tests are not covered.
How can a business reduce its EPR fees?
Use less packaging, and choose materials with lower fees and a green recyclability rating. Packaging that is hard to recycle pays the highest fee.