UKH secures govt commitment to explore changes to EPR scheme

UKHospitality has secured a commitment from the government to explore changes to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, following concerns that the current rules unfairly penalise hospitality businesses.

The trade body said some venues are being charged twice for recycling due to regulations that classify certain packaging used in hospitality, such as beer and wine bottles or cardboard from quick-service restaurants, as household waste.

Hospitality operators also reported being hit with EPR fees through supplier charges while also paying for commercial waste disposal.

At a recent roundtable with environment minister Mary Creagh, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) agreed to work with the sector on a potential solution. 

According to UKH, this would reflect proposals it submitted last year and hopes a resolution can be introduced in the scheme’s second year.

The trade body has escalated its campaign in recent months, writing to the secretary of state alongside a coalition of businesses and raising the issue directly with the prime minister and chancellor.

Kate Nicholls, chair of UKH, said: “I’m pleased that Defra is finally properly engaging with this issue and acting on our concerns. UKHospitality has been campaigning on this issue for over a year and warning of the unfair and costly impact it will have on hospitality businesses.

“We have put forward clear proposals that can solve this issue, which include an exemption for closed loop hospitality businesses, and I hope that we can work at pace with the government to put something in place for the second year of the scheme.”

She added: “Of course, this is not an ideal timeline for businesses affected this year. In light of the government acknowledging that there is a problem that needs solving, I urge hospitality suppliers to recognise this and not pass additional EPR costs through to operators.”