Statutory guidance

RAM 2027: overview

Published 1 July 2026

This guidance gives an overview of the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) 2027, including who must use it, how it works and the policy principles supporting it. 

Large producers should read this guidance alongside the RAM 2027 materials assessment guidance to assess recyclability for the 2027 reporting year (1 January to 31 December 2027). 

Large producers should use RAM version 1.1 to assess recyclability for the 2026 reporting year (1 January to 31 December 2026). 

Who must report recyclability data 

Under extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging large producers are legally required to use the RAM to assess the recyclability of the household packaging they supply.  

They must report RAM assessment data alongside their other packaging data to the environmental regulators.  

Large producers can check the packaging data they must report under EPR for packaging.  

Packaging that’s affected 

RAM assessments must be carried out on:  

• household packaging, including household drinks containers made from glass 

• packaging that commonly ends up in public bins   

RAM assessments only need to be carried out on reusable and refillable household packaging the first time it’s supplied.    

Principles that support RAM 2027 

The RAM 2027 provides a way to assess if packaging can be recycled through all stages of the recycling^{[footnote 1]} process using existing operational recycling infrastructure.  

Collecting packaging is only one part of the recycling process; packaging must also be sorted effectively, reprocessed into usable recyclate, and applied in ways that keep resources circulating within the economy (referred to as ‘recycled at scale’). 

RAM 2027 builds on RAM version 1.1 by: 

• maintaining the methodology’s focus on what happens in practice 

• considering established technologies and real‑world operational performance 

• considering if the system has sufficient capacity to manage the volumes placed on the market 

How the RAM works 

Producers must assess packaging as either a whole item of packaging formed of integrated components or as separate components and check it meets the definition of the material category they’re reporting under. This step is known as classification and was referred to as the first of 5 stages in previous versions of the RAM.  

Following classification, RAM 2027 evaluates items of packaging and components under 8 material categories at 4 essential stages of recyclability: 

• collection 

• sortation 

• reprocessing 

• application 

To claim that packaging is “recycled at scale,” producers must ensure they have evidence that: 

• packaging is moving through these stages in practice through existing, proven infrastructure (not pilot or experimental systems)  

• the system has sufficient capacity to manage the amount of this packaging being supplied to the market 

At each stage, packaging must be assessed as either red, amber or green with final assessment ratings reported alongside other EPR for packaging data. 

RAM ratings affect the waste disposal fees producers must pay for that packaging material. Red-rated materials will incur higher charges compared to more recyclable materials. This is called ‘fee modulation’.    

Find out how waste disposal fees are calculated.  

RAM ratings  are not related to other recyclability labelling that may be on the packaging.    

Stages of recyclability 

Before packaging is assessed at each stage of the 4 stages of recyclability, producers must assess: 

• if their packaging is considered a whole packaging item formed of integrated components or as a separate component 

• the material category they must report under 

This is referred to as classification. 

Stage 1: Collection 

Collection considers whether and how packaging is captured through the UK’s established operational recycling system. It refers to the main route by which a packaging item enters the recycling process and must reflect systems that work at scale in real‑world conditions.  

RAM collection data for each reporting year reflects what is collected at the time of RAM publication. Check packaging that is commonly collected for 2027 and previous reporting years. 

Commonly collected at kerbside 

For a green rating at collection assessment stage, the item of packaging or component must be collected at kerbside by at least 75% of local authorities across the UK.  

Limited collection at kerbside 

Some items of packaging and components are collected by a substantial number of local authorities across the UK but fall short of meeting the at least 75% threshold for commonly collected at kerbside. Items can continue to be assessed at further recycling stages with a capped amber rating if they are collected at kerbside by at least 50% of local authorities across the UK (limited collection). 

Packaging that is not listed as commonly collected or limited collection must be rated red unless it meets take-back scheme evidence requirements.

Stage 2: Sortation 

This refers to the process of capturing and diverting packaging waste into appropriate waste streams for further reprocessing. In some local authorities, this separation occurs more extensively at the kerbside by consumers (for example, source separated versus comingled collection systems).   

For the purposes of the RAM, the focus is on the ability of packaging waste to be sorted at scale within UK operational material recovery facilities (MRFs), and whether sufficient sorting capacity exists to handle the volume supplied.   

While packaging items may technically be sortable into relevant waste streams, various factors can hinder their effective separation in sortation facilities such as: 

• equipment limitations 

• contamination 

• packaging design 

• throughput pressures 

Assessments must be based on the state in which the item of packaging and components can reasonable be expected to end up in the recycling system.

Future iterations of the  RAM  may  seek to leverage sampling data from material recovery facilities to provide a more accurate assessment of the sortation capabilities and efficiencies in practice in the UK for each packaging material and format. 

Stage 3: Reprocessing  

Reprocessing is the stage where sorted packaging waste can be turned into usable recyclate. This  step is a crucial part of the RAM, assessing whether a material can be recycled  through technologies that exist and operate at commercial scale.  

Each material type requires specific reprocessing technologies and conditions. Even when a material reaches a reprocessor, its successful conversion depends on: 

• the capabilities of the installed infrastructure 

• whether there is sufficient capacity to handle the volume supplied  

Different reprocessing systems have different limits on what they can tolerate.  

Common issues include: 

• contaminating materials 

• adhesives 

• inks 

• multilayers 

• incompatible polymers 

If contamination is too high, the process becomes less efficient, quality drops, or the material may be rejected entirely.  

For a packaging format to be considered reprocessable at scale, it must:  

• be compatible with existing, proven reprocessing technologies currently in operation   

• be able to run through these systems without causing disruption or requiring any pre‑treatment  

• meet the quality thresholds needed to produce a usable recyclate that can return to the  value chain  

• have sufficient real-world reprocessing capacity available to absorb the quantity of the packaging being supplied to the market  

Therefore, the criteria set out in the materials specific section reflect these attributes.  

Future updates to the RAM may look to incorporate direct data from UK reprocessors, such as: 

• yield rates 

• contamination impacts 

• real-world throughput 

This data will help to provide a clearer picture of how each material performs in UK operational systems and whether scaled reprocessing capacity exists.  

Stage 4: Application 

Application refers to how the recyclate produced after reprocessing is ultimately used, and whether any factors limit its ability to return to the value chain. 

Recyclate quality is important. Poor quality recyclate may only be suitable for limited or low‑value uses or may need further treatment before it can be used, which can increase material losses.   

For a packaging format to be considered recyclable at scale, its recyclate must have an established end‑use. This means the recycled material should be able to: 

• enter production streams in a way that reduces the need for virgin materials 

• support circular material flows 

• maintain product quality and safety 

The RAM aims to incentivise the production of high-quality recyclate.  

Future versions of the RAM will aim to integrate better UK data on recyclate quality, practical end‑markets, and the extent of secondary material losses. This will help ensure that materials assessed as recyclable at scale truly contribute to a functioning circular economy.   

Take-back schemes  

Dedicated take-back schemes offer a way to recapture materials and packaging types that are not collected at kerbside (commonly collected or limited collection).  

Packaging can be reported as amber if producers have evidence that it is collected using a take-back scheme and successfully recycled.  

Producers who can meet take-back scheme evidence requirements do not need to follow the RAM materials assessment guidance.   

Packaging that is listed as commonly collected or limited collection does not qualify for take-back and must be assessed using the RAM material-specific guidance. 

Producers must notify PackUK that packaging is being reported as amber based on a take-back scheme. Guidance on how to notify PackUK will be shared in due course.

Plastic (flexibles) may be collected from kerbside. In this case producers will be able to continue to use take-back schemes alongside kerbside collection for the 2027 reporting year. 

Evidence requirements 

Producers must keep clear, specific evidence that the chosen take-back scheme meets all the following criteria: 

• it has accessible collection points (in-store or at household waste recycling centres) that at least 75% of the UK population or households can access within a 5-mile radius of their home, or offers a postal take-back service that covers at least 75% of UK home addresses 

• it does not compete with kerbside collections (the materials are not listed as commonly collected or limited collection at kerbside)

• it accepts packaging from all brands 

• it does not require consumers to make a purchase before depositing an item 

• can show traceability of the specific material (such as polypropylene) through the 4 stages of recycling – collection, sortation, reprocessing and application 

Producers should ask take-back scheme operators to provide them with the required evidence.  

Take-back schemes may accept multiple packaging formats and material types but are not required to. For example, a take-back scheme designed for toothpaste tubes is not required to accept glue tubes (even if the format is similar) but is required to accept toothpaste tubes from all brands.  

If a scheme accepts multiple product types (such as glue tubes and toothpaste tubes), it must have evidence that each product type is sorted effectively prior to reprocessing to prevent contamination. If a scheme accepts multiple material types, it must have traceability evidence for each specific material through the 4 stages of recycling. 

Examples of evidence 

Evidence of accessibility may include: 

• take-back collection points plotted on a map overlayed by a gridded population density map 

• a link to relevant content on the take-back scheme’s website explaining how the public can sign up to or access the service, if appropriate  

Evidence to demonstrate there are no brand or purchasing restrictions may include: 

• a written declaration from the take-back scheme operator 

• a link to relevant content on their website 

• photos of signage at the drop-off point 

• other means of communication   

Evidence of traceability needs to include details about:  

• the packaging recovery note (PRN) or packaging export recycling note (PERN) from accredited service providers who sort and reprocess the waste material - such as references to waste transfer notes and other documentary evidence showing that material has been reprocessed 

• service providers who will be handling disposal for any collected material that is too contaminated to reprocess 

RAM recyclability ratings 

As a result of the recyclability assessment, packaging will be given one of 3 RAM ratings:  

• red - packaging has specifications that make it difficult to recycle at scale, it cannot reliably move through the existing recycling system due to challenges in collection, sortation, reprocessing, or because no end‑use exists within current operational infrastructure  

• amber - packaging may experience challenges during collection and difficulties in sortation, requires specialist infrastructure for reprocessing, the efficiency and output quality of reprocessing is affected, or there is some secondary material loss  

• green - packaging is widely recyclable in the current UK infrastructure  

Automatic reds  

Some packaging will be rated red automatically. The automatic red criteria is based on: 

• established UK regulations 

• recognised risk frameworks 

• evidence on impacts to recycling systems and material recovery 

Packaging that’s considered automatic red cannot be considered recyclable within EPR, regardless of its technical recyclability, because to do so would create legal, chemical, or system‑level barriers to safe and effective recycling.  

Future direction of automatic reds  

PackUK may consider adding additional criteria for automatic red rating in future iterations of the RAM. These may include: 

• packaging material that does not include any verified recycled content  

• excessive packaging based on empty space, unnecessary fillers and similar inefficiencies  

Decisions on material ratings and future RAM iterations 

PackUK is responsible for designing, maintaining and publishing the RAM, and for making the final decisions on material rating criteria. 

PackUK is supported by the  RAM Technical Advisory Committee (TAC). 

The TAC is an independent advisory body that advises PackUK on packaging sustainability and  the annual review of the RAM.  

The TAC includes representatives from a broad cross-section of the packaging value chain. It supports PackUK to assess any planned changes to the RAM, making sure those  changes reflect recyclability and consider different bases of assessment.  

PackUK will also be collaborating with the appointed PRO and industry stakeholders to refine and update the criteria set out in the RAM. 

When the RAM will be published 

The RAM will be updated each year and published before the next reporting year starts. Each  annual  update will be evidence led.  

Future iterations will build on existing evidence and data to ensure the RAM criteria is aligned to how packaging materials perform in practice within UK operational infrastructure. 

Green claims 

Producers should consider RAM ratings alongside relevant Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) guidance, including the Green Claims Code, when making packaging decisions.

1. Defined in Article 3(17) of the Waste Directive ↩