DEFRA Stakeholder Forum held on 11 March 2025
DEFRA held their regular Stakeholder Meeting on Tuesday 11 March. Here are some key areas that were discussed.
Circular Economy
DEFRA officials reflected on recent engagement efforts, including a ministerial roundtable with Local Government Association members, a roundtable with the plastics sector and others.
Upcoming engagement opportunities were highlighted, which included the WEEE Conference, Product Design & Safety, Textiles 2030, and the UK Plastics Pact.
Further updates to come.
EPR data submission deadlines
Deadline for all producers is 1 April 2025 for submitting packaging data and registering with environmental regulators and paying EPR registration fees, however:
- Large producers (organisations with over £2m turnover and responsible for supply and/or import of over 50 tonnes of packaging to the UK a year) will be due to submit data for 1 July to 31 December 2024 – as they are obligated to submit data every 6 months.
- Small organisations (turnover between £1-2m and responsible for 25-50 tonnes of packaging annually) are required to submit data for the full calendar year (1 January to 31 December 2024).
Environment Agency’s Role in EPR
The role of the EA in EPR was outlined, including checking data submissions, conducting on-site compliance audits, and bringing non-compliant producers into compliance.
The agency is also updating and publishing guidance to help producers comply and report accurately.
Reporting of suspected non-compliant businesses to the regulators is encouraged. The EA highlighted the continuous work to identify and bring non-compliant producers into the system.
The importance of clear and specific queries was emphasised, along with the availability of guidance and support from the Environment Agency.
Environment Agency EPR regulations and compliance efforts
- Actively enforcing EPR regulations through compliance checks and data submissions.
- Brought 841 suspected free riders into compliance and confirmed 272 are no longer obligated.
- Updating guidance and responding to compliance queries to help producers comply.
Plastic films infrastructure
Defra is working to stimulate the market for plastic film by collecting and sorting it.
Q+A:
Q: for Dr. Margaret Bates, on what DEFRA are doing to stimulate the market for plastic film. The query argued Local Authorities are looking at significant capital expenditure to be able to collect and sort it, but presently there is insufficient market demand for this material, and the volatility of the market regularly brings losses. Consequently, EFW seems to be the most likely route for this material, which makes separate collection seem futile and undermines public messaging around recycling.
A: Dr. Margaret Bates responded that DEFRA had some not yet published research presented to them looking at best practice across Europe and the key message was the collection and consistent supply of good quality films and flexibles stimulates the recycling infrastructure in itself.
Dr. Bates also stated there are some very interesting innovations and initiatives happening in both the mechanical and chemical recycling of films and flexibles. DEFRA are looking at what they can do further, but currently the evidence from Europe is the collection and procuring of soft plastics to supply to recyclers actually incentivises them to build on the infrastructure.
Upcoming DEFRA / Environment Agency Meetings
- 20 March: DEFRA – Simpler Recycling Non-Household Municipal Premises webinar for the NHS
- 24 March: EA – Stakeholder Meeting
- 1 April: DEFRA – April Joint Stakeholder Engagement Forum