The EU packaging regulation has applied since 12 August 2026, and UK producers were billed GBP 1.46 billion in the first year of fees.
Why this market is moving now
- The EU packaging and packaging waste regulation has applied since 12 August 2026, replacing the old packaging directive.
- UK producers received their first packaging EPR fee notices on 14 October 2025, totalling GBP 1.46 billion.
- The EU wants all packaging on its market to be recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030.
- Global virgin plastic use in packaging was 13% above its 2018 level in 2024.
Key figures
Global figures for this market, with the year each one describes. Use Cite to copy a reference to this page.
| Figure | Value | Year | Cite |
|---|---|---|---|
| About 63 countries worldwide had some form of extended producer responsibility (EPR) system for packaging in 2026. | 63 countries (approx.) | 2026 | |
| More than 70 countries worldwide have EPR frameworks for one or more product categories in 2026. | 70 countries (more than) | 2026 | |
| Global virgin plastic use in packaging was 13% higher in 2024 than in 2018. | 13 % change vs 2018 | 2024 | |
| Businesses representing 20% of all plastic packaging worldwide have signed the Global Commitment on plastic packaging since 2018. | 20 % of global plastic packaging | 2025 | |
| Brand and retail signatories of the Global Commitment raised post-consumer recycled content in their plastic packaging from 5% in 2018 to 16% in 2024. | 16 % recycled content | 2024 | |
| The EU packaging and packaging waste regulation, in force since 11 February 2025, has applied since 12 August 2026. | 12 August 2026 application date | 2026 | |
| The UK packaging EPR scheme issued its first fee notices on 14 October 2025, raising a total of GBP 1.46 billion from producers. | 1.46 GBP billion | 2025 | |
| Consumer packaging maker Amcor reported net sales of $23,506 million in the year to 30 June 2026, up 57% after its merger with Berry Global. | 23,506 USD million | 2026 | |
| TOMRA runs over 95,000 reverse vending installations in more than 60 markets worldwide, capturing over 57 billion used drink containers a year (2026). | 95,000 installations | 2026 | |
| The EU aims to make all packaging on its market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030. | 2030 target year | 2030 |
Calculated figures (shares, changes and prices per kilogram) are plain arithmetic on the reported values. Read how we work.
Companies to watch
Amcor
Consumer packaging maker with net sales of $23,506 million in the year to 30 June 2026, up 57% after its merger with Berry Global.
TOMRA
Reverse vending maker with over 95,000 installations in more than 60 markets, capturing over 57 billion containers a year.
Circular Action Alliance
Nonprofit, producer-led producer responsibility organization for paper and packaging in the United States (
Interzero
Offers Europe-wide packaging licensing and services for compliance with EPR rules (
Der Grüne Punkt
Offers packaging licensing and the VerpackGO licence calculator for producers (
What the full report covers
- 01Executive summary
The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it - 02Market definition and scope
What is in and out of the global market - 03Global market size, 2021 to 2025
Historical series and growth rates - 04Countries and regions
Demand, supply and trade by country and region - 05Outlook to 2031
Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions - 06Rules, policy and deadlines
Regulation and programmes that change demand - 07Drivers and barriers
What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment - 08Prices, costs and margins
Unit economics where public data allows - 09Competitive landscape
8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves - 10Opportunities and risks
For new entrants, suppliers and investors - 11Method and assumptions
How every figure was built
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Frequently asked questions
How many countries have packaging EPR laws?
About 63 countries had some form of extended producer responsibility system for packaging in 2026. More than 70 countries have EPR frameworks for one or more product categories.
When does the EU packaging and packaging waste regulation apply?
The regulation has been in force since 11 February 2025 and has applied since 12 August 2026. The EU aims to make all packaging on its market recyclable in an economically viable way by 2030.
How much do producers pay under UK packaging EPR?
The first UK packaging EPR fee notices, issued on 14 October 2025, raised a total of GBP 1.46 billion from producers.
Is global plastic packaging use falling?
No. Global virgin plastic use in packaging was 13% above its 2018 level in 2024. Brand and retail companies in the Global Commitment, which together represent 20% of plastic packaging, raised recycled content from 5% to 16%.
Which companies lead in packaging and EPR services?
Amcor reported net sales of $23,506 million in the year to 30 June 2026. TOMRA has over 95,000 reverse vending installations in more than 60 markets. Circular Action Alliance runs packaging EPR programs in US states.
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