Sarah Champion MP Welcomes Additional Government Support for UK Glass Industry

Sarah Champion MP has warmly welcomed new Government support for the UK Glass industry. 

Sarah’s Rotherham constituency is home to Beatson Clark, a leading glass packaging manufacturer that has been producing glass in the town for 275 years.

Sarah has campaigned extensively for changes to the Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme (pEPR). pEPR is designed to hold packaging producers responsible for recycling costs throughout their products’ lifespans. However, glass manufacturers have argued that basing fees upon weight has incentivised businesses to switch to less recyclable alternatives, like plastic.

Emma Hardy, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has announced a series of measures aimed to mitigate the impact on glass, including consulting on accelerating fee discounts for highly recyclable (‘green’) packaging. This would see base fees for the least recyclable packaging doubled, with additional revenue used to discount highly recyclable packaging, benefitting 90% of glass. The Government has estimated this will result in around a 30-40% decrease in green-rated glass material fees. The Minister also announced new legislation to ensure that hospitality businesses do not pay twice for the same packaging materials.

Commenting, Sarah said:

“It’s been an honour to defend our world leading UK glass businesses. Rotherham and South Yorkshire have a long heritage of glass manufacturing, and I want Beatson Clark to be providing good jobs in our region for another three centuries. But for that to happen, they need a government that is on their side.’  

‘I am thrilled that the Government has listened to what I, British Glass, and hospitality businesses have said, and stood by our domestic glass sector. Today’s announcement is the culmination of more than two years of work, and I am hugely proud to have helped to deliver this outcome for our glass manufacturers.’  

‘It was never right that policies intended to encourage wider recycling were forcing businesses to reverse course away from sustainable alternatives to plastic. The Government has shown today that it means business when it comes to tackling harmful packaging materials and protecting UK glass manufacturing. However, I will of course be carefully considering the Government’s proposals and won’t be stepping away from the fight until the future of UK, and especially Rotherham, glass is secured”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Details of the Government’s announcement are set out in a letter available HERE.