This month, countless UK businesses registered and submitted their packaging data as part of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). With figures now in and charges coming into effect in October, companies have a timely opportunity to assess approaches and explore methods to trim down their EPR fees. And partnering with a packaging expert like Delga plays a key role in that process.
What's been dubbed a poorly timed April Fool’s has turned into a month of hard-hitting reality for UK firms. Changes to the National Insurance (NI) threshold, rising business rates, and an increase in the National Minimum Wage are merely a handful of major shifts that have left many tightening their purse strings. And for product-based businesses, the tension is set to surge with the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
Naturally, a new levy often prompts fresh hires or internal promotions to manage new procedures. Not only does this mean higher salary expenses but it also demands training, which can pull employees away from their core duties. For others, in-house processes simply aren’t an option. In these cases, third-party compliance schemes add yet another expenditure to budgets that are already squeezed.
Of course, costs are likely to be absorbed further down the chain, and there’s one direction they tend to go: onto the consumer. With plenty of people still feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis, brand loyalty has grown even more important. If the prices of goods rise, consumers can abandon a shopping trolley at the swipe of a screen, and for today’s businesses, that’s a threat they simply can’t afford.
EPR-adapted strategies directly cut rates, and many are looking for ways to minimise liabilities by switching to more sustainable alternatives. Materials are a prime example. With plastic charges more than double those of paper and board, we’re going to see a growing number of brands turning to paper and cardboard choices. This makes it even more important to work with providers like Delga, which is equipped to cope with increased demand.
As part of the new rules, packaging will be assessed holistically, considering everything from recyclability to ease of sorting at facilities. Consequently, EPR-compliant packaging needs to be viewed from a broader perspective in order to reduce EPR payments, meaning designers need to get creative.
Alongside material swaps, efficient design is at the heart of compliance. We’ve all received items tumbling about in oversized boxes – whether it’s tiny cosmetics rolling around in folding cartons that are too big or lotions rattling inside tube containers. Not only do these voids contribute to additional outlay when it comes to EPR levies in terms of volume but they’re also highly noticeable to shoppers, who are more eco-conscious than ever before.
Delga’s in-house CAD capabilities enable precision-fit designs that minimise excess material and reduce void space. Not only does this lower EPR charges, but it also responds to growing consumer frustration with oversized packaging.
The EPR regulation’s main goal is to reduce waste from packaging, incentivising companies to take a more sustainable approach to their designs. For Direct-to-Consumer (D2C) packaging, sustainability has played an essential role in brand perception for quite some time, with EPR poised to push this further.
However, over the years, the concept of sustainability has gained traction to the point of becoming a buzzword, with greenwashing now widespread across various industries. The public has grown all-too aware of this. As such, they're conducting their own research to ensure what they’re purchasing – from design to delivery – is as environmentally friendly as possible. With 52% of consumers recognising the need for eco-friendly packaging, many market leaders have accommodated this shift, responding quickly to meet expectations and positioning themselves ahead of the curve in terms of EPR.
It all starts with innovative techniques. Take the natural deodorant label Wild, for instance. By working with specialists at Delga, the sustainability-focused brand achieved award-winning packaging for its product sleeves. These designs eliminate plastic, minimise waste, and remove the potential for empty space, resulting in a more EPR-friendly packaging design.
By partnering with packaging manufacturers, such as Delga, which have a strong history of success in eco-friendly strategies, companies can stay at the forefront of sustainable packaging trends, easily navigate the new EPR regulations and charges, and protect their bottom line.
Delga’s experienced in-house CAD team, FSC-certified materials, vegetable-based inks, aqueous-based chemicals, and carbon-neutral printing options make them an ideal partner for those seeking EPR-compliant packaging.
For more information on sustainable, recyclable, and lightweight packaging solutions, contact Delga today.