Consultation on reforms to packaging waste systems

Reforms to the Packaging Waste Recycling Note and Packaging Waste Export Recycling Note Systems and Operator Approval consultation

The Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is seeking views on plans to reform the packaging waste recycling note (PRN) and packaging waste export recycling note (PERN) system. This system will be established by the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging waste.

As outlined in the Government response to the 2021 consultation on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations have decided to make provisions for the continuation of the PRN / PERN system in the new EPR Regulations for all (household and non-household) packaging waste as an interim solution.

The wider EPR measures should address many of the shortcomings of the current producer responsibility arrangements however, there are several improvements that may be necessary to further improve the functioning of the PRN / PERN market in the short term. These include the volatility and unpredictability of PRN/PERN prices, a lack of transparency, the potential for fraud in the issue of PRNs / PERNs and producer dependency on exports to meet recycling targets.

This consultation seeks views on several proposals to address these issues and improve the overall effectiveness of the system.

Find out more about the consultation and ways to respond.

The closing date for responses is 23:45 on 21 May 2022.

First published 29 March 2022