Food
Extended Producer Responsibility Changes and the UK Hospitality Sector
The UK government’s decision to exempt glass drinks containers supplied directly to pubs, restaurants, and other licensed venues from most Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees from April 2027 directly addresses cost pressures on the hospitality sector. Official illustrations show potential savings of up to 6 pence per beer bottle and 10 pence per wine bottle, equating to as much as £870 a year for a typical pub. GOV.UK
Broader reforms will also modulate future fees so that easy-to-recycle materials such as glass and paper attract lower charges, while harder-to-recycle plastics face relatively higher costs. The changes respond to sustained industry and media pressure over double charging.
Table of Contents
- What EPR Changes Affect Hospitality?
- How Large Is the Financial Impact on Pubs?
- Why Was the Original EPR Scheme Problematic for Pubs?
- What Broader Fee Modulation Reforms Are Planned?
- How Have Industry Groups and Media Responded?
- When Will Pubs Actually See the Savings?
- Key Takeaways
- Frequently Asked Questions
What EPR Changes Affect Hospitality?
From April 2027, glass drinks containers supplied directly by producers to licensed hospitality venues (pubs, restaurants, and similar premises) will no longer be liable for the majority of Extended Producer Responsibility packaging fees. The exemption is intended to eliminate the situation in which businesses paid both commercial waste-collection charges and EPR fees on the same glass. GOV.UK
Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle stated that the government had listened to concerns from the hospitality sector and the British glass industry and was acting to reduce fees on the most recyclable packaging while tackling double charging.
How Large Is the Financial Impact on Pubs?
Government examples indicate savings of up to 6 pence per beer bottle and 10 pence per wine bottle. For a pub selling 10,000 beer bottles and 3,700 wine bottles annually, the combined relief could reach £870 per year. These figures are illustrative upper-end amounts; actual savings will depend on volumes and the degree to which producers and wholesalers pass the reduced fees through the supply chain. The Grocer
Defra has also indicated that wider modulation could reduce fees for the most recyclable packaging by up to 40 percent.
Why Was the Original EPR Scheme Problematic for Pubs?
Hospitality venues already contract and pay for the collection and recycling of their commercial glass waste. The introduction of EPR fees created a second charge on the same material without delivering an additional service to the venue. This double charging raised operating costs for pubs at a time when the sector was already managing elevated energy, wage, and supply costs, and it disadvantaged UK glass producers relative to some imported alternatives. The Times
What Broader Fee Modulation Reforms Are Planned?
Alongside the hospitality exemption, the government will consult on restructuring packaging fees so that easy-to-recycle materials (including most glass and paper) attract lower charges while hard-to-recycle formats, particularly certain plastics, face higher fees. Defra estimates this approach could lower fees for highly recyclable packaging by 30–40 percent. A separate call for evidence on reusable packaging systems is also planned for 2027. GOV.UK
How Have Industry Groups and Media Responded?
The British Beer and Pub Association welcomed the removal of double charging on glass. Glass-industry representatives similarly supported measures that reduce the cost burden on a highly recyclable domestic product. Campaigns by outlets including The Telegraph and The Mirror had highlighted the impact on pubs and glassmakers in the months preceding the announcement. Some publican groups have sought explicit confirmation that tenanted and leased pubs will benefit on the same terms as managed estates. The Mirror
When Will Pubs Actually See the Savings?
The exemption applies to EPR fees calculated from April 2027. Invoices and supply contracts in place before that date are unaffected. Any reduction in the price of bottled beer or wine at the bar will occur only if producers and distributors pass the lower fees downstream; the government announcement itself does not mandate retail price cuts.
Illustrative Annual Saving for a Typical Pub
| Product | Assumed Annual Volume | Maximum Unit Saving | Maximum Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer bottles | 10,000 | 6 pence | £600 |
| Wine bottles | 3,700 | 10 pence | £370 |
| Combined | — | — | Up to £870 |
Key Takeaways
- Glass drinks containers supplied directly to licensed hospitality venues will be largely exempt from EPR fees from April 2027.
- Official examples show potential savings of up to £870 per year for a mid-volume pub.
- The change directly addresses the double-charging criticism that had been levelled at the original scheme.
- Wider fee modulation is expected to further favour glass and paper over many plastic formats.
- The measures support both the hospitality sector and UK glass manufacturers.
- Consumer price effects depend on how much the supply chain passes through costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the hospitality glass exemption take effect?
April 2027.
Does the exemption cover every type of glass packaging?
It applies to glass drinks containers supplied directly by producers to licensed pubs, restaurants, and other hospitality venues.
Will the price of a pint or a bottle of wine fall immediately?
Not automatically. Any retail price reduction depends on whether suppliers pass the fee savings through.
Is this change linked to recent newspaper campaigns?
Yes. Both The Telegraph and The Mirror had run prominent coverage of the cost impact on pubs and the glass industry.
Will plastic packaging become more expensive under the wider reforms?
Fee modulation is designed to increase charges on harder-to-recycle materials relative to glass and paper.
Are tenanted and leased pubs included?
The announcement covers licensed hospitality venues; industry bodies are seeking clear confirmation that tenanted estates receive equivalent benefit.
Conclusion
The EPR adjustments announced in November 2026 constitute a targeted and practical correction for the UK hospitality sector. By removing most packaging fees on glass supplied directly to pubs and restaurants from April 2027, and signalling stronger future rewards for recyclability, the government has responded to a clearly identified cost pressure. For business, hospitality, and consumer audiences, the changes should deliver measurable relief to licensed venues while reinforcing the principle that packaging charges ought to reflect real-world recycling outcomes. The extent to which those savings reach the customer will be determined by commercial decisions further down the supply chain in 2027 and beyond.