Action announced by the government to ensure breweries, pubs and restaurants get a fairer deal in disposing of packaging and waste has been welcomed by the industry.

Changes will cut double charging for recycling the same packaging, saving businesses up to 6p per beer bottle and 10p per wine bottle. For a pub selling 10,000 beer bottles and 3,700 wine bottles, this would save them up to £870 a year. 

Glass drinks containers being sold directly from producers to pubs, restaurants, and other licensed hospitality venues will no longer be liable for Extended Producer Responsibility fees from April 2027.

The Society of Independent Brewers and Associates (SIBA) said it welcomed the government’s move.

“Pubs and independent breweries have been facing a fundamental unfairness under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme where they effectively have to pay twice for waste collection. This double counting has cost the pubs sector around £50 million a year,” said chief executive Andy Slee.

“Today’s announcement by the Government to resolve this issue is sensible and a welcome move in the right direction. The implementation of EPR has had a significant impact on independent breweries, the glass industry, pubs and consumers by addiing extra costs, bureaucracy and additional challenges.

“Some breweries have been forced to cut staff to cover the extra cost of EPR. We hope that the Government’s consultation on fees will help reduce this impact on a fragile industry.”

The measures are part of the government’s commitment to back the British glass industry, it added.

Environment secretary Dame Angela Eagle said: ”We’ve listened to industry and hospitality businesses and are stepping in to reduce the fees for the most recyclable packaging – including tackling double charging on glass bought by pubs.  

“This government is committed to supporting British business and these changes back the glass industry and pubs while making sure we’re all doing our bit to reduce waste.”