UK supermarkets show progress on packaging sustainability – but there’s still room to improve

More than half (53%) of the packaging components used by major UK supermarkets are rated ‘green’ for recyclability under Defra’s Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM), according to new research published today by packaging sustainability consultancy Aura.

However, the data, which analyses a curated sample of more than 400 products from nine of the UK’s leading grocery retailers, shows that great progress has been made over the years but that there are still opportunities to further improve.

The products analysed were selected to reflect a broad cross-section of packaging types, materials and formats commonly found on shelves. RAM - developed by Defra as part of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework - was used since it measures the recyclability of household packaging against the realities of current UK waste infrastructure.

A green score indicates strong alignment with infrastructure capabilities. Given that 10% of packaging was attached to another item and therefore not applicable to RAM scoring, it also leaves 37% of packaging components in the amber or red categories: either only partially recyclable or not recyclable at all.

Gillian Garside-Wight, director of consulting at Aura, notes: “EPR is going to affect every supermarket and grocery retailer in the UK and charges could run into the millions of pounds. Those that act now to improve packaging design and recyclability can reduce their future financial liabilities as well as strengthen their sustainability credentials.

“Crucially, RAM scores will be used to determine eco-modulated EPR fees from October 2026, meaning packaging components rated amber or red will attract higher costs.

“As eco-modulated fees come into force, the financial impact of packaging decisions will become more visible. Retailers must shift their focus from simply managing purchase prices to understanding the total cost of goods, which includes end-of-life fees. Waiting until October 2026 to address these risks is not an option.”

When it came to end-of-life labelling aligned to UK scheme OPRL, Aura also found a significant number of packaging components labelled incorrectly, most commonly with items marked as ‘Do Not Recycle’ rather than ’Recycle’ or ‘Recycle in large stores.’

These inaccurate labels not only create confusion but also risk undermining consumer confidence and recycling efforts.

Gillian Garside-Wight adds: “Consumers need simple, accurate guidance to recycle effectively, yet there’s still widespread uncertainty over what can and can’t be recycled. Poor labelling not only adds to the confusion, but also undermines industry efforts to raise recycling rates.”

Finally, while recyclability remains a key focus, Aura’s audit uncovered a range of additional opportunities to improve packaging across UK grocery retailers.

These included inefficient shapes, unnecessary components and excessive packaging, which may also lead to increased EPR fees due to heavier weight packaging than is needed to protect, preserve, promote and contain the product.

The good news is that 70% of audited packaging was deemed appropriate in its design, with no obvious signs of excess or inefficiency. However, the remaining 30% revealed clear opportunities for improvement, ranging from structural optimisation to material simplification.

Gillian Garside-Wight concludes: “Many decisions on packaging design, particularly for private-label products, are made by the product manufacturers. However, it is the shared responsibility of retailers and product manufacturers to challenge and improve these design choices.

“Recyclability is only part of the picture for sustainability. Excessive packaging is particularly concerning, not only from an environmental standpoint, but also due to its direct impact on EPR fees. As packaging weight increases, so do the associated costs.”