Recyclability and disposal fees

Short version: GOV.UK says small producers do not pay household packaging waste disposal fees. Those fees, and the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) that modulates them, apply to large producers. They matter to you if you might cross into the large-producer box, or if your large-producer customers ask you about the recyclability of packaging you supply.

How the fees work (large producers)

• PackUK, the scheme administrator, sets per-tonne disposal fees by material.
• From Year 2 (2026–27) fees are modulated by RAM rating: amber = base fee, red = a multiple of amber, green = a discount that depends on the overall mix of reported ratings.
• PackUK's modulation statement sets the red multiplier at 1.2× (2026–27), 1.6× (2027–28) and 2.0× (2028–29).

Illustrative Year 2 fees (£ per tonne, published by PackUK)

RAM in one paragraph

RAM assesses packaging across collection, sortation, reprocessing and end use, giving a red, amber or green rating. Large producers use RAM v1.1 for 2026 data and RAM 2027 for the 2027 reporting year.