Cost of soft drinks, beer and kettles likely to increase as a result of scheme that shifts recycling fees to producers

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A new packaging tax to fund recycling will push up the price of many products including soft drinks, beer, kitchenware and small appliances such as kettles and toasters, companies have warned.

Pev Manners, the managing director of the cordial maker Belvoir Farm said the preliminary cost for glass in the extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging was “nuts”. The brand would have to pass on the levy as the fees would wipe out its annual profits, he said.