Businesses handling packaging waste urged to comply with new packaging waste rules
If you’re a small business in Northern Ireland, you may now need to register and report how much packaging you use under new government rules.
These rules are part of the UK’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which aims to
- boost recycling
- cut down on waste and non-recyclable packaging
- make businesses responsible for the cost of dealing with packaging waste
Larger businesses also face new rules. they must report data every six months and cover the full cost of managing packaging waste, including collection and recycling.
Who needs to register?
You must now record and report your packaging data, if your business
- has a yearly turnover of over £1 million, and
- handles more than 25 tonnes of packaging a year
The deadline to submit data for 2024 was 1 April 2025. From Wednesday 1 October 2025, businesses must start paying for the cost of disposing of packaging waste.
Find out all the guidance on the EPR scheme.
First published 1 September 2025
