US President Donald Trump’s continuing tariffs could prompt UK businesses to consider changing the way they package goods, putting them at risk of breaching new environmental rules, an eco-compliance firm has warned.
Despite recent moves by the US to relax some tariffs, including trade agreements with China and the UK, Ecoveritas said the situation is likely to prompt producers to alter supply chains in the longer term to shield themselves from disruption and increasing costs.
Global brand owners such as The Coca-Cola Company have signalled a move away from aluminium cans to plastics packaging in response to a flat tariff imposed on steel and aluminium imports, which is likely to impact UK businesses from a waste compliance perspective, even if they are not manufacturers themselves, the packaging data specialist claimed.
EPR warning
The Manchester-based company, which works with leading brands including Suzuki and Spar, is urging British businesses to ensure they don’t fall foul of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation introduced this year.
Andrew McCaffery, chief strategy officer at Ecoveritas warned that the global trade picture is ‘becoming more complex’ and ‘creating an additional headache for businesses who deal with imported and exported goods, even if only indirectly’.
“The headlines tend to focus on price rises for materials, but it is crucial that firms don’t lose sight of the rules they must adhere to when it comes to packaging and waste,” he said.
Under the new EPR legislation, all UK businesses with a turnover above £1 million ($1.35m) and handling more than 25 tonnes of packaging per year are now responsible for the cost of recycling packaging waste.
They are also obligated to track and report data on packaging use.
Assessment deadline
Large producers will be required to report their first batch of Recyclability Assessment Methodology data, covering 1 January to 30 June 2025, by 1 October 2025.
According to Ecoveritas, larger businesses could be faced with up to £130m ($176m) in additional compliance costs.
“Even a small miscalculation can lead to overpayments in the hundreds of thousands of pounds, so it really is essential to get it right,” McCaffery warned.
However, he added there was an opportunity for businesses of all sizes to “reassess their relationship with waste, make positive changes and become more sustainable for the future”.
