British Glass has called for urgent Cabinet-level intervention over the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme, warning that the policy is placing the country’s glass manufacturing sector under increasing economic pressure.

The appeal follows a recent Parliamentary debate in which MPs voiced growing concerns about the unintended consequences of pEPR on domestic manufacturers, investment and employment. According to British Glass, the current fee structure is encouraging businesses to switch from infinitely recyclable glass packaging to alternative materials, undermining the policy’s environmental objectives.

During the debate, Sarah Champion criticized the scheme, stating that it is wrong for plastic bottles to become a more cost-effective packaging option than infinitely recyclable glass as a direct result of government policy intended to promote sustainable packaging.

British Glass, supported by manufacturers, trade unions and supply chain partners, argues that the existing framework is delaying investment decisions, increasing import pressures, threatening skilled manufacturing jobs and placing additional financial burdens on hospitality businesses.

To address these challenges, the association is calling on the Government to delay the announcement of Year 2 pEPR fees, introduce an immediate 75% reduction in glass fees and initiate Cabinet-level discussions on the policy.