Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Pubs to be exempt from glass packaging fees from April 2027
The government will exempt glass drinks containers supplied directly to pubs from EPR fees from April 2027.
The change covers pubs, restaurants and other licensed hospitality venues in the UK.
The government says a pub selling 10,000 beer bottles and 3,700 wine bottles a year could save up to £870.
Hospitality businesses have raised concerns that they pay twice to recycle the same glass packaging, through supplier charges and commercial waste contractors.
The EPR scheme makes businesses pay towards managing household packaging waste, rather than leaving the full cost to taxpayers and councils.
The British Beer and Pub Association welcomed the move but warned that about 12,000 leased and tenanted pubs could miss out if they are not included.
The government plans wider changes to packaging fees, with lower charges proposed for easier-to-recycle materials such as glass and paper.
Businesses are expected to be consulted on a system that rewards recyclable packaging, and PackUK plans a consultation on manufacturers' fees in early 2027.
Glass drinks containers supplied directly by producers to pubs, restaurants and other licensed hospitality venues will be exempt from EPR fees from April 2027.
The government says the change will address double charging for recycling glass packaging.
Pubs could save up to £870 a year, while businesses could save up to 6p per beer bottle and 10p per wine bottle.
The British Beer and Pub Association welcomed the change but warned that leased and tenanted pubs must also benefit.
- Who
- The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the change. It affects pubs, restaurants and other licensed hospitality venues.
- What
- Glass drinks containers supplied directly by producers to these venues will be exempt from Extended Producer Responsibility fees.
- When
- From April 2027.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- The government says the exemption will reduce packaging costs and address double charging for glass recycling.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs announced the planned exemption.
The exemption for qualifying glass drinks containers is due to take effect.
PackUK is due to launch a consultation on manufacturers' packaging waste fees.
- Exemption begins
- April 2027
- Potential pub savings
- Up to £870 a year
- Beer bottle saving
- Up to 6p per bottle
- Wine bottle saving
- Up to 10p per bottle
- Potentially affected leased and tenanted pubs
- Around 12,000
What people are saying
We've listened to industry and hospitality businesses and are stepping in to reduce the fees for the most recyclable packaging — including tackling double charging on glass bought by pubs.
Across the beer and pub sector there will be much relief that the Government will reduce the costs of glass packaging fees and is also seeking to end the pernicious double charging that has been unfairly affecting Britain's cherished pubs.