Regulation, Risk & Resilience: Can the UK Glass Market Withstand the New Compliance Landscape?

At the Resource & Waste Management Expo (RWM) 2025, Clarity hosted a thought-provoking panel discussion on the future of glass recycling in the UK. Bringing together leading voices from across the industry, the session explored the regulatory, financial, and operational challenges facing producers and reprocessors, as well as the opportunities to strengthen the sector under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Clarity is one of the leading UK packaging compliance schemes, and is a specialist in supporting producers with large obligations. Due to the heavy nature of glass packaging this means that drinks producers automatically have larger obligations relative to their business size. Currently around 30–35% of the UK glass obligation is fulfilled through Clarity. Clarity aims to source all of its glass PRN’s from UK reprocessors where possible and our interactions in support of UK furnaces means we are in a good position to understand the challenges faced by the industry.

For many producers, the first payment year of EPR has been particularly testing, with producers facing many challenges:

• Budgeting pressures due to late fee announcements and complex accountancy guidelines.
• Multiple tax points impacting already heavily taxed sectors like drinks.
• Hospitality glass reporting risks double charging for material already covered by commercial collections.
• The proposed Welsh DRS inclusion of glass adds confusion and planning uncertainty to the glass-based drinks industry.

Yet there are clear opportunities too:

• PRN review to allow a more level playing field for UK reprocessors, could make the system fit for purpose, subsidising UK recycling infrastructure for the next 20 years.
• Revising definitions of non-household packaging would help avoid unfair costs for hospitality – we are pleased to see at least some progress towards a solution.

A collective industry voice can help shape EPR into a system that delivers the intentions it set out to achieve.

We were pleased to be joined by Freddie Joosten (Wine and Spirit Trade Association) and Matthew Kay (British Glass), who shared valuable insights on the following topics:

• Deposit Return Schemes (DRS): Divergence across UK nations risks confusion, the potential for fraud, and rising costs. While England, Scotland, and NI currently exclude glass, Wales proposes to include it and introduce reuse systems.
• Reuse models: Effective where products are standardised and travel short distances, but evidence is needed before widescale adoption.
• Non-household glass: The sector continues to work with Defra on establishing fairer exclusions from base fees.
• Cullet imports: Heavy reliance on imported cullet highlights the need for greater domestic infrastructure investment.

The panel concluded that protecting the future of glass recycling will require collective effort. Priorities include:

• Improving the quality and accuracy of producer data year on year.
• Monitoring recycling performance to ensure targets remain ambitious yet achievable.
• Engaging government on recycling targets and DRS policy.
• Contribute to PRN reform discussions to ensure that PRN is optimised for UK reprocessing.
• Educating producers on how funding flows through the system to strengthen understanding and trust.

Glass has had huge success at meeting recycling targets in the UK, and with the right reforms, collaboration, and investment, it can continue to be a success story under EPR. Clarity is committed to working alongside producers, policymakers, and industry partners to ensure glass remains a sustainable, circular packaging material for decades to come.

We can help you steer a clear course through the challenges of compliance and maximise the opportunities for your business. Get in touch to discuss how we can meet your needs.