Blog

Textiles
Blog, Compliance, Textiles
Textiles and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Global trends and upcoming regulations

With textile waste becoming a growing environmental concern, many countries are introducing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) to ensure brands take accountability for their products' entire lifecycle. Valpak International Account Manager, Harry Russell's, blog explores the current and upcoming textile EPR regulations worldwide and outlines how affected businesses can prepare.

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Mixed Packaging Materials
Blog, Compliance, EPR, Packaging
What do I pay for? Understanding producer obligations under the UK’s new Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility Regulations

With the introduction of the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) Regulations, businesses face significant changes in how they manage and pay for packaging waste. Understanding the financial responsibilities, whether you’re a large producer, small business, importer, or retailer, is essential to staying compliant and minimising costs. To help businesses navigate these changes, Lee Wearing has written a detailed blog breaking down the key obligations, cost structures, and reporting requirements under pEPR. From modulated fees based on recyclability to PRN/PERN contributions, our guide clarifies what different producers need to prepare for.

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Recyclable Packaging
Blog, Compliance, EPR, Packaging
Understanding the Recyclability Assessment Methodology: What it means for you

The UK's packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation mandates that, starting in 2025, companies must assess the recyclability of all household packaging. This is where the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) comes into play. Understanding and implementing RAM is essential for compliance and demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship. Ross More's latest blog delves into the intricacies of RAM, offering insights into its application and how it impacts your business operations.

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Reprocessor
Blog, Compliance, Packaging, Recycling Evidence
Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): What producers need to know

The UK's Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) Regulation introduces significant changes in managing packaging waste obligations. Valpak Policy Advisor, Danny Stapleton Torres, explains that although Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs) remain central to the system, not all obligated producers will be required to pay PRN fees. Understanding this distinction is important for businesses navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.

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Office Recycling
Blog, Recycling, Waste Management
Game-changer for businesses: New Recycling Regulations to take effect March 2025

From 31 March 2025, businesses in England with 10 or more employees must separate waste into four streams: residual waste, food waste, paper/card, and dry recyclables. Smaller businesses have until 2027 to comply. Louise Tompkinson, Valpak Waste & Resource Traceability Consultant, outlines why businesses should start preparing now by reviewing waste practices, training staff, and working with waste contractors to ensure compliance.

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Container Ship
Blog, CBAM, Compliance
Decoding the EU CBAM: A roadmap to sustainable trade compliance

Valpak Consultant, Harry Penney, breaks down the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a cornerstone of sustainable trade compliance under the EU's climate agenda. From understanding carbon accountability to key deadlines and practical business implications, this blog offers a clear roadmap to navigate CBAM's requirements while aligning with global sustainability goals.

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Landfill and Tree
Blog, Zero Waste to Landfill
Celebrating sustainability: Brother Industries (Slovakia) achieves Zero Avoidable Waste to Landfill certification

Valpak Waste & Resource Traceability Consultant, Bronwynn Harris, discusses Brother Industries (Slovakia) s.r.o.'s impressive Zero Avoidable Waste to Landfill certification. This accolade highlights their commitment to reducing environmental impact by ensuring that waste is recycled, reused, recovered and, wherever possible, kept out of landfill disposal. She outlines how, by partnering us, Brother Industries has streamlined their waste management processes through comprehensive audits and innovative solutions.

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Navigating EPR Laws in Europe
Batteries, Blog, Packaging, Textiles
Navigating the future of EPR: Insights from the Think Circular Live event

Valpak Policy Advisor, Danny Stapleton Torres's blog captures insights from Reconomy's Think Circular Live event, where experts explored key shifts in extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations across packaging, batteries, and textiles in Europe. Danny outlines the important role of high-quality data for existing and impending EPR regulations under the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan.

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Plastic Packaging
Blog, Plastic Packaging Tax
Understanding the UK Plastic Packaging Tax: Key changes and future implications

Valpak Head of Policy, George Atkinson's blog explores recent adjustments to the UK Plastic Packaging Tax, including a higher tax rate tied to inflation and allowance for mass balance accounting for chemically recycled plastics. He also discusses the impact of excluding pre-consumer waste as recycled content, which may increase tax burdens on manufacturers...

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Blog, EPR, International
Navigating packaging EPR in the US: Are you prepared for Colorado’s upcoming deadline?

With Colorado’s first enforceable Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) deadline just days away, many producers remain unclear about their obligations. As new packaging Extended Producer Responsibility laws roll out across five US states, brands must quickly assess whether they are affected by these evolving regulations. Terri Lord's blog explores key questions to determine if your business needs to comply, offers insights into state-specific differences, and outlines steps to ensure compliance.

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Landfill site
Blog, Zero Waste to Landfill
Mastering green claims: Ensure accuracy and build trust

Emily Hare, Valpak Waste & Resource Traceability Manager, highlights how it’s important for businesses to align their environmental claims with the Green Claims Code to avoid misleading consumers and being accused of greenwashing. She explains how businesses can substantiate green claims using evidence such as lifecycle assessments and packaging analysis while adhering to principles of transparency and fairness. She also discusses the legal implications of false claims and outlines Valpak’s services to help businesses validate their sustainability efforts.

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Cardboard box packaging in a warehouse
Blog, EPR, Packaging
Making sense of EPR base fees

Valpak Policy Advisor, Henry Smith, discusses the highly anticipated packaging EPR base fees, announced by Defra on 15 August. While these estimates provide a crucial step forward in the pEPR programme, they come with significant caveats. In this blog, Henry breaks down the key details of the announcement, explores the uncertainties, and discusses how businesses can prepare for the upcoming changes

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Takeaway containers
Blog, International
Germany’s Single-Use Plastics Legislation

Liberty Lemm summarises how the introduction of Germany's Single-Use Plastics Fund Act holds manufacturers accountable for the lifecycle of their products with an aim to incentivise sustainable practices. She outlines the reporting compliance requirements, penalties for non-compliance and the next steps affected producers need to take to ensure they meet their legal obligations.

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Valpak’s Fortnightly Industry News Update keeps me informed of the ever changing legislation and up to speed with what is going on within the industry. I find it to be a useful source of information that is presented to me in an easy to use format.

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