Sebastian Munden, Chair of WRAP, participated in a roundtable discussion on the circular economy for packaging. The event, hosted by the Department for Business and Trade and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, brought together key industry leaders from sectors such as waste management, hospitality, and building materials.
The meeting focused on the significant strides made in packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) over the past year. A key point of discussion was the potential economic opportunities arising from investments in infrastructure designed to process packaging materials. These investments are seen as essential for creating jobs and driving growth in the UK.
A notable highlight from the meeting was the ‘big future opportunity’ for EPR lies in reuse and the collection of packaging for cleaning and refilling, rather than the traditional approach of breaking down and reforming packaging. This method, as discussed by participants, can reduce system costs and lower EPR fees for brands.
Organizations like WRAP and The UK Plastics Pact have committed to supporting businesses and local authorities to ensure the successful implementation of EPR. They are also dedicated to providing a collaborative space for scaling up reuse practices across industries.
The roundtable proved to be an essential platform for fostering collaboration between various stakeholders, driving forward sustainable packaging solutions for the future.
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