THE Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) will unveil PackUK, described as a key initiative for the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025.
The two-day gathering of over 450 exhibitors and thousands of packaging professionals has been tipped by event organiser Easyfairs UK to provide the perfect forum to introduce PackUK and facilitate meaningful discussions about the future of sustainable packaging.
The launch of PackUK will feature two key panel sessions, addressing the strategic and practical dimensions of pEPR implementation. The first session, taking place on Wednesday, 12 February, will be hosted by Sebastian Munden, chair of PackUK and WRAP. The discussion will examine how a unified UK approach can foster a fairer and more sustainable packaging system.
Panellists include David McPhee (deputy director of the circular economy division for the Scottish Government); Emma Bourne (director of resources and waste at Defra); Rhodri Asby (deputy director for resource efficiency and circular economy for the Welsh Government); and Shane Doris (director of the environmental resources policy division for Northern Ireland). Together, they will offer insights into the collaborative efforts required to implement pEPR effectively across all four UK nations.
The second panel, scheduled for Thursday, 13 February, will be chaired by Mary Creagh, minister for nature. This session will explore stakeholder aspirations for pEPR and the role of cross-sector collaboration in its success. Contributors include Paul Vanston (CEO of INCPEN); Talia Goldman (ESG director at Colpac Ltd); and Andrew Cassells (waste specialist at the Strategic Investment Board in Northern Ireland). This discussion will provide businesses with guidance on balancing commercial and environmental priorities while leveraging pEPR to drive innovation.
Dr Margaret Bates, head of the UK pEPR Scheme Administrator, said, “The need for an effective pEPR scheme that shifts the cost of managing household packaging waste to producers has never been more critical. The launch of PackUK marks an exciting leap forward in delivering this. We remain committed to working closely across the four nations, producers, and stakeholders across the collection and packaging value chain.
“Together, we aim to deliver a fair and collaborative pEPR scheme that addresses the challenges of packaging waste and lays the foundation for a more sustainable and responsible approach to packaging.”
James Montero-MacColl, senior marketing manager at Easyfairs UK, added, “Defra’s decision to launch PackUK at Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 underlines the importance of this event as the key gathering for the UK packaging industry. With such high-calibre speakers and comprehensive discussions on the agenda, this is a unique opportunity for attendees to gain actionable insights and a clear understanding of how to adapt to these landmark regulatory changes.”
Packaging Innovations & Empack 2025 takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 12 & 13 February, 2025.
