Defra data reveals 89% of packaging producers still use hard-to-recycle packaging

Defra data shows that 89% of the 11,701 packaging producers required to report under the UK's Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme continue to supply non-recyclable, hard-to-recycle or mixed-rating packaging.

These figures come from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) following a Freedom of Information request by BagKraft, specialist manufacturer and supplier of high-quality, sustainable bags, and bespoke promotional packaging.

The data, released under Environmental Information Regulations, show there is still an uphill battle for absolute sustainability as 14% of producers are supplying exclusively ‘Red’ rated packaging. This means 1 in 7 businesses remain entirely reliant on materials classified as difficult or problematic to recycle. A further 1% of producers supply strictly ‘Amber’ rated packaging, which carries significant recycling challenges.

Three-quarters (75%) of producers are currently supplying a mix of Red, Amber, and Green-rated packaging, meaning the vast majority of businesses have yet to fully transition away from problematic materials. With just 10% successfully transitioning to supplying strictly ‘Green’ packaging across their entire operations.

These findings highlight a significant gap between corporate sustainability goals and the reality of UK supply chains. With pEPR regulations designed to penalise difficult-to-recycle materials through higher fees, businesses relying on Red and Amber-rated packaging face significant operational costs alongside reputational risks.

This data from Defra is a stark reminder that while the conversation around sustainability is everywhere, the physical transition is lagging.

Seeing that only 10% of producers are operating entirely in the 'Green' zone is a wake-up call. Moving away from 'Red' and mixed-material packaging isn't just an environmental obligation anymore—with pEPR fees escalating, it is a financial necessity.

Jon Marling, managing director of BagKraft.

BagKraft urges brands and retailers currently sitting in the mixed or strictly red categories to audit their portfolios immediately. By switching to easily recyclable, high-performance alternatives, businesses can insulate themselves from regulatory penalties while meeting consumer demand for truly green packaging.