RAM 2027 – A positive outlook for glass

New methodology recognises the reality of glass recycling and strengthens glass's position as a circular packaging material.

PackUK has published the latest update to the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM 2027), following extensive engagement with British Glass and consultation with industry stakeholders. The revised methodology, which will apply to reported data for 2026, and be charged as fees in 2027/8, brings several significant and welcome changes for the glass sector.

The changes better reflect the reality of how glass packaging is collected, sorted and recycled in the UK, providing greater certainty for producers and recognising the inherent recyclability of glass – the outcome is clear, all glass packaging made from soda-lime-silica glass will now achieve a green recyclability rating.

Why recyclability ratings matter

Under pEPR, packaging is assessed and assigned a red, amber or green rating based on its recyclability.

These ratings are used to modulate EPR fees:

• Amber-rated packaging pays the standard fee.
• Red-rated packaging pays an increased fee, with additional fees rising over the next three years.
• Green-rated packaging benefits from the redistribution of funds collected from red-rated materials.

As a result, packaging that achieves a green rating will face lower costs while also being recognised as supporting a more circular packaging system.

The previous methodology, RAM 1.1, included several aspects that created uncertainty for glass packaging and did not always reflect real-world recycling outcomes. For example, broad terminology around "decorative glass" created confusion about which products were actually collected for recycling and non-standard glass colours were classified as amber despite being routinely recycled in the UK through existing glass recycling systems.

The glass sector consistently argued that these classifications failed to recognise the established UK recycling infrastructure for glass and the fact that glass remains fully recyclable regardless of colour.

RAM 2027 addresses these concerns.

The revised methodology now focuses on soda-lime-silica glass, clearly defining those specialist glass products that are not generally collected while recognising that standard glass packaging is widely accepted for recycling.

Crucially, the updated framework:

• Introduces a green rating for non-standard glass colours.
• Removes references that penalised certain "contaminated" glass containers.
• Better reflects the reality of how glass is collected and reprocessed in the UK.

The result is that nearly all glass packaging will now be classified as green.

This is particularly significant given that the latest RAM data suggested around 2% of glass packaging could be rated red and 3% amber. The changes in RAM 2027 effectively acknowledge what the glass industry has long maintained: that glass packaging is a highly recyclable material with a well-established collection and recycling system.

The changes are not simply beneficial for glass producers. They also support the wider objectives of pEPR by ensuring recyclability assessments are aligned with actual recycling performance and outcomes.

Jenni Richards, Principal policy adviser said “We welcome the publication of RAM 2027 and the changes made following constructive engagement between industry and policymakers. The revised methodology provides a much more accurate reflection of how glass packaging is collected and recycled in practice.

"Glass is one of the UK's most recyclable packaging materials and can be recycled infinitely without any loss of quality. It is therefore right that the methodology now recognises that almost all glass packaging should achieve a green rating.

"These changes provide greater clarity and certainty for producers while supporting the wider ambition of developing a truly circular economy. It is a positive outcome for the glass sector and an acknowledgement of the strong recycling infrastructure that already exists for glass across the UK.”

What producers need to know

RAM 2027 applies to packaging placed on the market from 1 January 2027 and will be used to assess recyclability for the 2027 reporting year.

Importantly, the changes do not affect packaging data already reported for 2025, nor the fees associated with that reporting period (Y3 fees April 2027-March 2028).

Producers should continue to use RAM version 1.1 for 2025 reporting requirements while familiarising themselves with the updated methodology ahead of future reporting obligations.

With RAM 2027 now published, the glass industry can be confident that the assessment framework better reflects the inherent recyclability of glass packaging and its vital role in delivering a more sustainable, circular economy.