As the year draws to a close it is an opportune moment to reflect on 2024 and to express our gratitude for our outstanding network of valued clients, suppliers and partners collectively ensuring smooth transitions into changing regulatory requirements.
To end the year, we felt it crucial to go beyond festive wishes and take time to acknowledge the complexities, progress and what is on the horizon for 2025.
We’ll start with an industry look back for 2024, then a Clarity end of year review, festive wishes and complete this article with a peak into what is on the horizon for 2025, including updates on EPR and RAM.
Reflecting on the Industry’s Journey in 2024
From innovative technologies driving efficiencies to the growing adoption of data solutions and an estimated reduction in waste production, 2024 has been a year of mixed progress shaped by the collective efforts of authorities, businesses, and stakeholders navigating an evolving regulatory landscape. While challenges remain, advancements in waste management and sustainability continue to pave the way for meaningful change.
Key updates from 2024:
- 2024 showcased a strong commitment from authorities and businesses alike to meet new regulatory expectations and advance recycling progress.
- Government confirmed its commitment to the Deposit Return Scheme to be launched in 2027.
- EPR continues its phased implementation.
- EPR fees announced, then changed.
- Penalties for non compliance announced.
- RAM confirmed to take place from January 2025.
- PRN subsidies working well to deliver increased support to industry when needed, and all UK recycling targets now on track to being hit.
- Increased submissions and complexity and caused companies to increase budgets for outsourced data services to ensure they never pay more than they need to with the upcoming changes to fees.
While these milestones are significant, they have unfolded against the backdrop of various complexities, particularly as the sector continues its transition to EPR. PRN suppliers have faced a challenging year, contending with market fluctuations and evolving requirements.
The glass market, in particular, has highlighted the need for collaboration and open dialogue. At this year’s RWM Expo, discussions on glass fees under EPR, such as those we held with British Glass, helped bring critical concerns to light. It was encouraging to see meaningful changes, including a reduction in fees, demonstrating the power of collective action.
This year has been one of navigating uncertainty and pressure, and the resilience shown across the industry has been remarkable. We are thankful to hear such encouraging feedback from our customers acknowledging our contribution to ensuring smooth transitions throughout the regulatory changes.
Innovation & Improvements within Clarity to Support Those We Work With
2024 has been a year of growth and innovation for Clarity. By working closely with our members and clients, we’ve continued to listen, adapt, and evolve our services to ensure customers receive the comprehensive support needed for their environmental compliance.
Key changes within Clarity include:
- 42% increase in headcount.
- 372% increase in investment into systems.
- 57% increase in webinars to provide additional support throughout regulatory change.
- An estimated 450% increase in stakeholder briefings to help our customers with internal stakeholder management throughout the transition into EPR.
- Our Trading division increased tonnes traded by 85% compared to 2023, reflecting our growing customer base with large obligations to fulfil
- Data platform enhancement – ensuring a single source of truth for data accuracy and the ability to take multiple spreadsheets and formats from multiple systems and transform data sets into the correct reporting requirements.
- Expanded our compliance team to ensure extra support for the increased submissions.
- Investing in our systems and headcount without passing any additional costs onto our customers.
- Expanded our CREQS team to further enhance our supplier due diligence and continue the development of the best PRN supplier network, ensuring smooth compliance for our customers.
- Expanded our waste movement services, offering site waste audits and supporting with the most cost-effective movement of waste, ensuring overall ease from managing compliance and waste movement hand in hand, provided greater financial opportunity for our customers.
- Finalists in four Engage Awards categories: Best Customer Service Team, Best Use of Training, Best Use of Innovation in Customer Engagement, and Best Use of Voice of the Employee.
- Our commitment to ongoing improvement for our customers secured us the award for best customer service, which we are exceptionally proud of, as kit acknowledges our dedication to continuous improvement and innovation for the best interests of our customer experience.
- Our CEO, Natalie Rea, was shortlisted as a Sustainability Entrepreneur of the Year at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards reflecting our achievements supporting businesses with sustainability initiatives.
- Clarity was included in the FEBE Growth 100 for the second consecutive year.
As more businesses transitioned to outsourcing their packaging data management, we continued to invest in our Dynamic Data with Clarity solutions. By conducting detailed reviews of customers’ data, we’ve uncovered significant opportunities for savings. A recent example of this is one member benefitting from us accessing the raw data and identifying duplicate bottle weights, leading to the removal of over 1,000 tonnes of glass from their final submission, ensuring they did not pay a penny more than they needed to.
These examples are happening every day as more and more of our customers recognise the importance of being ready for RAM and ensuring accurate reporting to protect them from overpayments or compliance risk.
If you need help with your data and would like to find out more about our Dynamic Data Solutions, then please book a free data consultation here.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we move into 2025, the continued importance of accurate and comprehensive data cannot be overstated. With the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) coming into effect from January, being well-prepared will be essential for managing finances efficiently and staying ahead of compliance requirements.
The industry is set to navigate further changes as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) continues its full implementation. October 2025 will mark a significant milestone with the introduction of the first modulated reporting, accompanied by fees, adding new dimensions to compliance and financial planning. Additionally, with the government committing to a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for 2027, we anticipate much more detail emerging throughout the year as preparations across the industry ramp up.
As these changes come into effect, they also present significant opportunities to centralise solutions and align with evolving data requirements. For example, integrating waste management with EPR compliance offers a chance to not only maximise revenue from waste but also streamline and enhance reporting efficiency. By tying together waste audits and packaging data management, businesses can create a cohesive approach that meets regulatory demands while driving operational and financial benefits.
As we reflect on another complex but productive year, we remain proud of the resilience and dedication shown across the sector. It has been a privilege to partner with our members, clients, and suppliers, and we look forward to continuing to support their efforts as we work together to drive progress and deliver meaningful change.
Best Wishes for the Festive Period
“Thank you to our team, our customers, our suppliers and all our partners collaborating to provide the most cost-effective and ethical environmental services.
I am exceptionally proud of our customer feedback and our success in achieving ongoing long term customer relationships. Seeing our valued customers stay with us year upon year is a testament to the hard work of our team keeping our mission at the forefront to ensure that we provide the most cost-effective and ethical environmental services, so we improve lives, protect nature, and make the world around us a better place to live.
Best wishes for the festive period and the new year. We are looking forward to being the best we can be alongside you as we navigate 2025 smoothly, confidently, and always remaining future focused.”
Natalie Rea, CEO
Our Christmas Opening Hours
Please note, we are closed from Tuesday 24th December until Thursday 2nd January 2025.
If you do need a member of our team during this time, please do call us on +44 (0)1273 929 220 and you will be directed to an out of hours number where a member of our team will be able to help you.
