Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): What Commercial Clients Need to Know

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is changing the landscape of packaging waste management in the UK. As EPR reforms continue to roll out, commercial operators—particularly shopping centres, retailers, logistics sites, and multi-tenant property managers—need to prepare for new reporting obligations, cost responsibilities, and compliance risks.

At Benji Waste, we support commercial clients across the UK with waste infrastructure, segregated bin solutions, and practical guidance to help align their sites with the latest packaging waste regulations.

What Is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)?

EPR is a regulatory framework designed to make producers financially and operationally responsible for the entire lifecycle of the packaging they place on the market. This includes the costs of collecting, sorting, and recycling packaging once it becomes waste.

In the UK, EPR for packaging is being introduced in phases (2023–2025). Under this new system, obligated producers must:

• Register with the relevant environmental regulator

• Report packaging data by material type and end destination (household vs non-household)

• Contribute to the costs of managing packaging waste, based on how recyclable their materials are

  
  

This marks a significant shift in responsibility—previously handled by local councils—to those creating or placing packaging into circulation.

Why EPR Affects Commercial Waste Generators and Property Managers

Even if your business does not manufacture packaging, you may still be impacted by EPR if you operate sites where packaged goods are sold, stored, or disposed of. Many commercial landlords, shopping centre managers, and multi-site retailers are discovering they have indirect obligations or reporting dependencies under the new system.

Retailers and Foodservice Operators

If you sell branded or own-label packaged goods, you may need to register as a packaging producer, track volumes, and report on your packaging waste management practices.

Facility and Operations Managers

If your site consolidates deliveries, manages on-site bin rooms, or collects waste across tenants, you may need to support packaging waste tracking or coordinate with tenants on reporting.

Shopping Centres and Mixed-Use Developments

Multi-tenant sites may be asked to assist with or facilitate EPR reporting, particularly where waste handling is centralised. This includes data tracking, bin labelling, and stream-specific waste segregation.

Key EPR Compliance Steps for Commercial Premises

1. Understand Your EPR Classification

Determine whether your organisation—or your tenants—qualify as an obligated packaging producer under UK EPR legislation. This includes importers, packers, and sellers of packaged goods above certain turnover and packaging volume thresholds.

2. Monitor and Measure Packaging Waste

Work with your waste contractor to track the volume and material composition of your site’s packaging waste. This is especially relevant for:

• Cardboard and corrugates

• Plastic films and trays

• Aluminium and steel cans

• Glass bottles and jars

At Benji Waste, we provide stream-specific bins to support data collection and waste segregation, improving audit readiness and recycling rates.

3. Engage and Align with Tenants

In commercial settings with multiple tenants, create shared templates or systems for reporting packaging usage and waste generation. This reduces administrative duplication and helps tenants meet their EPR packaging data submission requirements.

4. Specify EPR-Friendly Packaging

Choose suppliers that offer fully recyclable or reusable packaging and provide material breakdowns to support reporting. Avoid hard-to-recycle materials such as black plastic trays, expanded polystyrene, and composite multilayer packaging wherever possible.

EPR as an Opportunity for Waste Strategy Improvement

Rather than viewing EPR as a burden, commercial clients can use it as a catalyst to modernise waste systems. By aligning packaging, bin setups, and vendor selection with EPR goals, you can:

• Improve recycling performance

• Lower general waste volumes

• Reduce compliance risks

• Enhance sustainability credentials for ESG reporting

  
  

At Benji Waste, our team works with commercial clients to design EPR-ready bin systems that support site compliance while delivering long-term operational value.

Benji Waste: Helping Commercial Sites Prepare for EPR Packaging Rules.

As a leading provider of commercial waste collection and recycling services in the UK, Benji Waste helps clients adapt to changing waste regulations, including the rollout of Extended Producer Responsibility.

Our services include:

• Customised bin and container solutions for cardboard, plastic, glass, and mixed recycling

• Bin labelling and signage to support packaging waste segregation

• Scheduled collections tailored to commercial site layouts and tenant waste volumes

• Partnerships with packaging-conscious vendors to help you improve recyclability at the source

  
  

Ready for EPR? Let’s Talk Waste Strategy

If you're planning ahead for UK packaging regulations, speak to Benji Waste about building a compliant, future-proof commercial waste system.

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