The revised legislation now recognises offsets for closed-loop recycling schemes – a breakthrough outcome that Apetito has campaigned for over the past two years.
EPR regulations aim to shift the cost of packaging waste from local authorities to producers, a principle Apetito strongly supports. The original proposals failed to recognise closed-loop systems, unfairly penalising companies that had invested significantly in innovative circular solutions.
In 2021, Apetito launched Project Boomerang, the world’s first industrial-scale closed-loop recycling system for ready meal trays.
To date, the scheme has recycled over 40 million trays from customers, achieving collection rates close to 50% and guaranteeing that every returned tray is transformed into a new tray for its meals.
This outperforms household recycling, where only 38% of trays are collected and nearly half of that is exported overseas for processing with uncertain outcomes.
Lee Sheppard, director of corporate affairs, policy and sustainability at Apetito, commented: “We have always supported the principles of EPR and the need to tackle packaging waste. But the omission of closed-loop schemes in the original regulations was a serious flaw that risked penalising businesses doing the right thing.
“Over the last few years, we’ve worked tirelessly from hosting MPs at our depots, engaging closely with DEFRA, organising Parliamentary drop-in sessions, and securing national media coverage including a published letter in the Financial Times to persuade Government to reconsider this stance.
“We are delighted that the Government has listened and amended the regulations to include an offset for closed-loop systems. This decision not only protects schemes like Project Boomerang but also signals a strong commitment to driving a truly circular economy.”