Government plans to cut glass recycling costs eyed by pubs
On 11 November ministers unveiled plans to cut charges on highly recyclable materials, including glass, under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme. They also intend legislation to stop hospitality businesses from effectively paying twice to recycle the same packaging. Under the current system pubs can face extra charges passed on by suppliers for glass bottles, even though they already pay commercial waste contractors to collect and recycle them. The British Beer and Pub Association said the changes could save British brewers tens of millions. BBPA chief executive Emma McClarkin welcomed the move but warned that leased and tenanted pubs must be included; around 12,000 publicans run leased or tenanted pubs, and without inclusion more than a quarter of Britain’s pubs could miss out. The Wine and Spirit Trade Association welcomed the changes, with CEO Miles Beale saying the reduction of up to 40% in glass fees over two years brings the UK scheme more in line with others and is a correction to the last two years. The BBPA said it would continue working with the Government to ensure the reforms benefit pubs as well as brewers. Pub operators had previously criticised the scheme as a stealth tax and warned that mounting costs could threaten businesses if fees were not brought down. Source: The Morning Advertiser
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