Plastic packaging makers face tighter responsibility rules
Manufacturers will need to show how much packaging they collect, not only how much they produce.
By Peter Mwangi. 29 Sept 2026, 12:00 EAT
Plastic packaging manufacturers face significantly tighter responsibility rules under new extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations.
Previously, companies mainly reported the volume of packaging they placed on the market. Under the updated rules, they must also provide evidence of the packaging waste they collect from consumers and send for recycling.
This change aims to close the gap between production and actual recovery rates. Large producers will need to keep detailed records of closed-loop and other packaging waste collected, demonstrate that it has been properly recycled, and report the figures alongside their production data.
Industry observers say the shift will increase administrative burdens and push companies toward more recyclable designs and stronger collection partnerships. Non-compliance risks fines and, in some cases, restrictions on market access.
The rules form part of a broader push to reduce plastic waste and raise recycling rates across household and commercial packaging streams.