25 Jul 2019 --- The UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced the results of its Resources and Waste Strategy for England consultations, including the proposed introduction of a plastics tax, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). The majority of respondents agreed with “many elements” of a tax on plastic packaging containing less than 30 percent recycled content, although a “significant number” voiced concern over the government’s proposal to not include filled packaging imports. The EPR system received “strong support” and based on this, the government plans to introduce an EPR system for packaging in 2023. Meanwhile, respondents “overwhelmingly agreed” with a DRS for all materials consulted on: polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and High-Density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bottles, steel and aluminium cans and glass bottles.
