Margaret Bates appointed Head of EPR scheme administrator
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the current Managing Director of the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL), and a former president of the Chartered Institute for Waste Management, is to lead the administrative body for packaging extended producer responsibility (pEPR).
The pEPR scheme – which has been delayed to October 2025 – aims to direct the burden of dealing with packaging waste away from taxpayers and onto producers. Through the adoption of pEPR, it is hoped that producers will be incentivised to minimise packaging, opt for recyclable materials, and achieve elevated recycling targets via the fees they contribute.
Affected organisations must now report packaging data while continuing to fulfil current fees associated with the Packaging Recovery Note (RN) scheme.
In the role, Dr Bates will supervise the execution and readiness of the Scheme Administrator, including the collaboration with Defra, the Devolved Administrations, and stakeholders throughout the entire packaging supply chain, including recycling and recovery.
She will take up the role on secondment for up to two years and will be stepping down from her position at OPRL, the recycling labelling company board during her tenure.
‘A huge opportunity’
Speaking on her appointment, Dr Margaret Bates said: “During my time at OPRL, engagement with representatives across the value chain has shown an ever-growing appetite for collaborative working and a focus on finding solutions.
I look forward to building on this spirit of cooperation in the exciting new position of Head for the UK Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging Scheme Administrator.
“This role is a huge opportunity to act as a catalyst for the whole industry to continue to create an effective EPR, ensuring that the responsibility for dealing with packaging waste is moved fairly on to producers, while also protecting the environment. Most of all, I hope to listen, and channel my experience of the issues facing the many varied stakeholders, to deliver a scheme that works – within the agreed timescales, and with common purpose.”
Dr Stewart Davies, Chair at OPRL, added: “OPRL is immensely proud that our Managing Director, Dr Margaret Bates, has been enlisted to lead on this important step toward the circular economy in packaging.
“OPRL was born out of a need by producers and retailers for labelling that gives consumers confidence in recycling, and our collaboration with material organisations, recyclers and local authority groups ensures a commitment to whole-chain solutions.
“Our producer and consumer surveys also keep us up to date on market thinking, and it is this industry-wide network which will form a secure base for EPR implementation.”
