FPA pushes for paper cup Kerbside recycling amid new packaging rules

UK – The Foodservice Packaging Association (FPA) has welcomed a regulatory shift that reclassifies packaging with less than 5% non-paper material as paper, effective immediately, rather than the previously planned January 2026. 

This fast-tracked rule, announced recently, is set to reduce recycling costs for producers and streamline packaging classifications under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework.

According to industry experts, packaging with under 5% non-fibre content, such as many modern paper cups, will now be treated as paper and board, attracting a lower EPR fee. 

The FPA projects that within three years, these fees could be as low as one-fifth of those applied to fibre-based composites (FBCs) containing over 5% non-fibre materials. 

This change aligns with the updated Recycling Assessment Methodology, bringing clarity to tracking and reporting obligations for businesses.

Martin Kersh, FPA’s Executive Director, emphasized the rule’s importance in a statement: “This update not only reduces financial burdens but also simplifies compliance, making it easier for companies to produce sustainable packaging.” 

However, Kersh raised concerns about the exclusion of paper cups from kerbside recycling, especially since many cups now have non-fibre content comparable to other recyclable packaging.

“If the mandatory retailer collection of paper cups hadn’t been cancelled by Minister Mary Creagh, their exclusion from kerbside collections might have been justifiable,” Kersh stated.

“The minister must act either by allowing cups in kerbside bins or setting a clear timetable for mandatory retailer takeback. Without action, paper cups remain in a recycling limbo, creating a two-tier system for board-based packaging.”

The FPA’s call comes amid broader efforts to enhance recycling infrastructure. 

A recent pilot in Cardiff, launched by Keep Wales Tidy, uses AI technology to boost paper cup recycling in city centres, involving the National Cup Recycling Scheme and the Bower app. 

This initiative has engaged thousands, with early results showing increased public participation in recycling efforts.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the initiative highlighted its potential: “This pilot demonstrates how innovation can make recycling more accessible and rewarding for consumers.” 

The FPA hopes such projects will inform future policy, urging Creagh to reconsider kerbside bans and support retailer takeback schemes.

With paper cups making up a small but significant portion of packaging waste, stakeholders are pushing for solutions that balance convenience, cost, and environmental impact. 

The FPA remains committed to collaborating with policymakers to ensure sustainable outcomes for the foodservice packaging sector.

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