Remember the RedCycle program, the one where you could drop off your soft plastics at Coles and Woolies for recycling? It was an ambitious plan to make big companies like Nestlé and Cadbury take responsibility for the waste they create. Unfortunately, because soft plastics are of poor quality and Australia did not have the proper recycling facilities set up, the system faced serious challenges and ultimately collapsed.

Similar but with a stronger plan, the UK Government is rolling out reforms that shift the responsibility for recycling costs onto the businesses that create the packaging waste in the first place. And it goes beyond soft plastics!

This isn’t just a policy update, it’s a major shift in accountability. And it sends a strong message: if you create the waste, you should pay to clean it up. Let’s take a closer look at what’s changing, why it matters, and how it could spark smarter, more sustainable systems worldwide.

What’s changing: the extended producer responsibility scheme

In a landmark policy shift, the UK has ushered in Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. From November 2025, businesses will begin contributing to the bill for recycling their packaging. Fees will vary depending on how hard that packaging is to recycle. Reusable or refillable designs cost less, while tricky-to-recycle items cost more. This change flips the financial burden away from councils and taxpayers and onto producers themselves. Uhm, yes please!

What happens now: where does the money go?

Over the next year, the UK Government expects to collect around £1.4 billion ($2.8 billion AUD) in EPR fees from businesses. From that total, £1.1 billion will be guaranteed for English local authorities. The remaining £300,000 will be allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland for distribution to their councils. 

The good news doesn’t stop there. Councils will be free to decide how best to use the funds, whether that’s streamlining recycling collections for residents, building new waste infrastructure or upgrading existing facilities to handle materials more efficiently. This opens the door for meaningful regional improvements and modernisation. In my humble opinion, I think they should invest in zero waste packaging… right?

Why this matters: aligning costs with environmental impact

This reform is about more than just shifting money. It’s designed to spark change where it’s needed most, in the design and disposal of packaging. By charging businesses more for hard-to-recycle materials and less for sustainable options, the system rewards innovation and waste reduction at the source.

It also brings long overdue fairness into the process. For too long, taxpayers have footed the cost of recycling systems that businesses themselves created. These new rules make it clear: polluters pay.

Better yet, the shift is expected to unlock regional growth, support green jobs and improve household recycling rates, which have barely budged over the past decade. Instead of relying on individuals to sort it all out, the system now pushes producers to step up, making it easier for everyday people to do the right thing.

This is proof that bold, values-driven change is possible when policy and purpose come together. From fairer funding to smarter systems, the UK’s new packaging reforms show that tackling waste at the root is not only necessary, but achievable.

Let’s hope this ripple effect inspires action here in Australia too.

If you loved this story, you’ll love our other blog here about guerrilla gardeners in France. It's a goodie!

Lots of love,
Ellie x