Responding to the National Audit Office’s report looking at Governmental resource and waste reforms, Emma McClarkin Chief Executive of the British Beer and Pub Association said: 

“UK brewers are committed to supporting Net Zero targets and are already making proactive adjustments in their own businesses that reflect this. Yet the fact remains, any nationwide packaging and waste reforms need clear guidance and adequate lead in time to allow businesses to prepare fully and make adjustments that are both cost effective and sustainable. 

“This report lays bare the fact that businesses have not been given the clarity or time required to prepare for Extended Producer Responsibility reforms. At a time of immense pressure on businesses due to inflation, and alongside ongoing uncertainty around other packaging reforms, the potential for EPR has loomed over our sector with seemingly little understanding of the time or resource needed for brewers to implement changes that would make these reforms effective.  

“The findings of this report add further weight to the need for a full, detailed impact assessment of the suggested reforms in their totality to be carried out , and until that is complete, a delay to the 2024 implementation date would be essential.” 

The full report can be found here.