This announcement indicates positive progress being made in the implementation of EPR with the Scheme Administrator crucial to the functioning of the new packaging policy.
In this role Dr. Bates will oversee the implementation and preparedness of the Scheme Administrator.
Dr. Margaret Bates currently serves as the Managing Director of OPRL, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to aiding businesses in accessing recycling and refill messaging for brand and retailer packaging. OPRL is also the entity behind the iconic recycling ‘swoop’ often found on consumer packaging, the same recycling icon that will be mandatory for businesses obligated under EPR to apply to their packaging starting in 2026/27.
With a PhD in Landfill Microbiology, Dr. Bates boasts over three decades of experience in the Waste and Recycling industry. Prior to her appointment at OPRL in 2020, she held the position of Professor of Sustainable Waste Management at the University of Northampton. Additionally, she served as the President of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management in 2016-17.
Dr. Bates is a Chartered Waste Manager, International Waste Manager, a Chartered Environmentalist, and a Fellow of IOM3, the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining.
The Scheme Administrator will be responsible for developing the mechanism for producers to pay fees covering local authorities’ disposal costs for household packaging waste, whilst also overseeing the collection of fees from obligated producers for waste management and operational expenses.
The Administrator will oversee the fair allocation of EPR funds to Local Authorities and conduct assessments to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness in managing household waste.
In cases of underperformance, the Administrator has the power to issue improvement plans to councils and withhold payments based on their operational efficiency, aiming for a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within household waste collection systems.
The Treasury has stipulated that the Scheme Administrator must be from the public sector, as it will undertake a sovereign-type function, making executive decisions on specific issues within its remit.
Defra’s announcement last year of an interim Scheme Administrator steering group for the UK’s EPR for packaging scheme is a positive indication of Defra’s willingness to engage with industry to ensure the best outcome for all players in the new system.
The steering group will oversee operations during the lead-up to the introduction of fees scheduled for October 2025. The steering group, composed of representatives from diverse sectors, including producer groups, trade associations, and an environmental non-government organisation, will play a critical role in providing guidance and shaping the future governance framework for EPR.
Our team of packaging compliance and data experts can help your business stay compliant, save time and achieve peace of mind. If you have any questions about EPR or would like to find out more about how our EPR solutions can work for your business, please reach out to us on info@clarity.eu.com or book an EPR consultation to discuss your needs.
