LONDON 13 March 2025 Countries across the globe are battling to get ahead of the pack with legislation that supports the transition to a circular economy. For the drinks sector, legislation which holds producers responsible for their product’s entire life cycle is becoming more widespread, with glass increasingly forming a key part of packaging waste policies. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, which is likely to come into effect in the United Kingdom this year, is expected to command high costs for companies who use glass packaging. Meanwhile, in the United States, a new ruling has changed the standards of fill for distilled spirits and wine by adding a raft of new container sizes that will favour circular packaging solutions. Both pieces of legislation will encourage more industry players to explore alternative packaging, such as reuse systems or other low waste options, helping catalyse the linear to circular transition.

The UK’s proposed EPR scheme holds producers accountable for packaging waste.

In 2023, the UK government set out details of a new “Simpler Recycling” regime for England. The EPR legislation and the UK’s Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS) are designed to fit with this service. After years of debate the latter has now passed through Parliament, with implementation scheduled for October 2027. DRS is designed to tackle the problem of single-use packaging and boost recycling rates by incentivising people to return their used drinks containers. Initially, glass bottles will be exempt (apart from in Wales), but this is likely to change once the DRS is up-and-running. There are several examples of similar operations around the world, particularly in Europe. In the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark for example, consumers return their used containers to designated collection points, such as supermarket ‘reverse vending’ machines.

Examples of reverse vending machines – like this one in Norway – can be found across the world.

The EPR scheme has been earmarked for implementation this year by the UK government’s Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). The scheme aims to hold producers accountable for packaging waste, instead of local authorities. At the end of 2024 Defra released its first estimates of rates to be charged for each tonne of material, with glass hit particularly hard because Defra is proposing the use of weight as a key metric. In a statement, Defra says EPR is a “vital first step in cracking down on waste as we move towards a circular economy, and we have always been clear these fees are our initial estimates…. We are continuing to meet with the glass industry to discuss more workable approaches, including for how we calculate the cost of glass”.

The UK’s drinks industry wants more information about how the proposed EPR and DRS schemes will be implemented.

The UK drinks industry – the country’s biggest user of glass – has raised concerns about the UK’s proposed EPR and DRS schemes. This is predominantly because of the high rates expected for glass, but also because there are questions about how the schemes (and any associated fees) will be implemented and to what time scale. In addition, there are concerns that in the short-term the EPR scheme could inadvertently benefit brands that already use cans or plastic containers, especially considering the DRS scheme is not due to start until 2027.

Tim Etherington-Judge, Founder, Avallen Solutions

“I am hopeful about the wave of these new regulations that are set to shake up the drinks industry in the UK. These policies are a huge step forward in tackling single use waste, finally putting the responsibility, and cost, where it belongs – back on the balance sheet of producers. Solutions for drinks producers – especially small to medium-sized businesses – bring a host of questions and concerns. What will be included? How much will it cost? But for smart, forward thinking businesses, they are a catalyst for innovation and creativity, pushing the industry towards a smarter, more sustainable future.”

Nick Gillett, Founder and Managing Director, Mangrove UK

“ecoSPIRITS offers venues and brands alike a very simple solution to entering the circular economy. There are many successful pioneers already using and demonstrating the system, driven not only by the commercial benefits but also by the environmental benefits. The incoming regulations and tax surrounding waste packaging provide yet another reason for venues to evaluate the system.”

Meanwhile, in America the Alcohol & Tobacco Tax & Trade Bureau (TTB) has published a rule changing the standards of fill for distilled spirits and wine, by adding several new container sizes, including a new larger format 3.75L container size. This will put America in line with many European countries, which have not had such strict restrictions on refilling containers, and have therefore been in a better position to embrace refill and reuse systems. ecoSPIRITS’ standard 4.5L ecoTOTE has been adopted by several European and Asian countries and spirits are delivered to bars, where bottles can be repeatedly refilled. For America, ecoSPIRITS developed a 1.75L ecoTOTE to fit with its strict regulations on bottle refilling. With this important change in legislation, ecoSPIRITS and its US customers are now exploring new larger format ecoTOTE solutions for the American market.

In 2022, ecoSPIRITS developed a 1.75L ecoTOTE to fit with the strict regulations on bottle refilling in the US.

Zdenek Kastanek, Managing Director, ecoSPIRITS USA

“We are pleased by the TTB’s most recent ruling, which will help suppliers offer a wider variety of container sizes for spirits and distribute larger packaging sizes to on and off-trade accounts in the United States. We have been working closely with the TTB for many years now and this is an exciting change and a positive step towards sustainable distribution for spirits. ecoSPIRITS is currently evaluating the opportunity to develop a new larger ecoTOTE for the US market, in order to maximise this change in container size for spirits.”

The changes, in both the UK and the US, form part of a wider global shift towards the circular economy, with new rulings increasingly affecting the drinks sector. In Europe, for example, The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) recently became part of EU law, covering all packaging and packaging waste in the European market. The legislation, which came into force in February 2025, regulates what kind of packaging can be placed on the EU market, as well as packaging waste management and prevention measures. ecoSPIRITS is working collaboratively with its climate partners around the world to help navigate new and evolving packaging regulations alongside the transition to the circular economy.

For media inquiries or general information on ecoSPIRITS, you may contact Sonya Hook, Head of Communications at sonya.hook@ecospirits.global.

About Avallen Solutions

Avallen Solutions is a sustainability advisor dedicated to accelerating change in the drinks industry. With a mission to drive positive environmental and social impact, we help brands, distilleries, and businesses navigate the complexities of sustainability – from strategy and circular packaging to B Corp certification and carbon reduction. Embracing the work of Doughnut Economics, our tailored service is built on the vision of moving towards a more regenerative and distributive model that works for everyone. Founded on the belief that business can be a force for good, Avallen Solutions partners with forward-thinking companies looking to lead the industry without giving the planet a hangover.

Learn more at www.avallen.solutions

Mangrove Global

Mangrove Global was established by John Coe and Nick Gillett in 2006, who built up a team of passionate spirits experts. In early 2023 Mangrove was acquired by GBH, based in Martinique, and incorporated the SPIRIBAM rums into its diverse portfolio. With a large range of premium spirits from mezcals to sakes, world whiskies to vermouths, MD Nick Gillett oversees a dedicated team of spirits professionals, mixologists, sales experts and brand strategists, with extensive experience in both the on and off trade UK spirits market. In the last two years Mangrove has expanded its team, built up its portfolio and opened new accounts, resulting in an extended reach and enhanced market presence. With more than 300 B2B business partners, Mangrove continues to grow year on year. Mangrove’s hand-picked portfolio has been carefully built around dynamic, innovative brands with a strong eco-responsible sensibility. The company has been able to develop many brands that have now become leaders in their category based on effective marketing activations, great commercial agility and an effective communication strategy. 

For more details, please visit: www.mangroveuk.com

About ecoSPIRITS

ecoSPIRITS is a circular economy technology company that has developed the world’s first low carbon, low waste distribution technology for premium spirits and wine. Our patent-pending closed loop system nearly eliminates all packaging waste in the supply chain. By dramatically reducing packaging and transport, ecoSPIRITS provides a transformative carbon footprint reduction. Founded in Singapore in 2018, the ecoSPIRITS technology is now available in more than 27 countries across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Americas. Nearly 3,000 leading bars, restaurants, hotels and retailers have adopted the technology, including Michelin-starred restaurants, World’s 50 Best and Asia’s 50 Best bars and iconic hotels. ecoSPIRITS is now rapidly building a global network of closed loop service, with coverage to grow further in 2025. Together with our brand partners, importers, distributors, wholesalers, venues, and retailers, we are already making a difference. Each year, ecoSPIRITS and our partners are eliminating hundreds of tons of single use glass waste, planting tens of thousands of trees, and inspiring others to change.

For more information, please visit: www.ecospirits.global